NHS risks as private deals put price ahead of quality

PATIENTS are at risk because the Government is more bothered about cost than care as it privatises NHS services.

A report today exposes flaws in how the Government awards contracts for public services and projects, including those in the NHS.

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee found services have worsened as contractors know price is a higher priority than quality. The Government was unable to present evidence that outsourcing produces better public services for less money.

The report states: “The Government’s failure to assess quality of services as well as cost is lamentable.”

Yet the Cabinet Office said: “We have recently announced a wide package of new measures to further improve how we work with our vendors.”