NHS BUDGET CUTTING PROTEST

A PROTEST is due to take place this Saturday at Warrington Hospital against budget cuts and privatisation in the health service.

The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 1pm.

Angela Walsh, who informed the Weekly News of the protest, said the event is being held in support of NHS staff amid concerns over downgraded services and fears the organisation is being softened to be carved up for private ownership.

She said the event is for anyone who works in or uses the NHS.

Angela, who is from Widnes and works in the NHS, said campaigners hope to replicate Labour members’ success in Southport in stopping the closure of the town’s accident and emergency department.

Referring to the NHS Property And Estates review by Sir John Naylor, she also accused the Government of selling off NHS land, buildings and assets to make it easier for ‘easier for greedy profiteers like Branson to sweep in and take over contracts’.

The report, published last year, includes plans to ‘maximise value for money’ including ‘land sales’ and has a chapter entitled ‘The opportunity to release value from the estate’.

Angela said one of the incoming threats to the NHS are ‘accountable care organisations’ (ACOs), which are collaborations between health organisations such as local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and private companies tasked with sharing a joint responsibility to provide healthcare.

According to The King’s Fund think tank, which has recommended charging patients to see their general practitioners, ACOs contrast against existing systems that have an emphasis on competition.

Some critics fear ACOs represent a creep towards more privatisation and an Americanstyle health system.

The King’s Fund has said the ‘language used’ for ACOs comes from the US, where former president Barack Obama set up ACOs to reduce costs, it said.

The think tank denied that ACOs are a move to an American system and said they are taxfunded.