Protesters gather to protest against privatisation of NHS

Unison protesters and Councillor Lambert outside Rochdale Infirmary

Dozens of protesters gathered outside of Rochdale Infirmary yesterday (Thursday 27 February) to protest against plans to outsource part of the NHS service.

It is understood that bosses at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are looking to outsource payroll and human resources to the Shared Business Services (SBS). The Shared Business Services is a partnership between the Department of Health and Steria, a French based company.

Around 50 protesters gathered outside of the infirmary to show their opposition to the plans which could see up to 160 jobs put at risk.

Council Leader, Councillor Colin Lambert, who is opposed to the privatisation plans, addressed the protesters at yesterday’s demonstration.

He said: “The government is taking steps to privatise the NHS through the back door because it knows the public would not agree with such a move. Once again services are being taken outside of the UK and it is time the government realised that the NHS should not be for sale.

“Just like the recent stories on GPs being asked to sell our medical records let me be clear, my medical records are not for sale.”

Kevin Lucas, Regional Organiser for Unison, the largest union in the NHS, said: “This privatisation would be a worrying precedent. We fear that 200 Health Records jobs could also be outsourced and off-shored by Pennine Acute – which would also cause patient concern about data security.

“The NHS is our greatest national asset and creeping privatisation is a grave concern to us all. Greedy multinational companies should not be profiteering from our NHS.”

As of yet, a final decision has not yet been made by The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS trust. Nick Hayes, deputy director of human resources at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “No formal decision has been made yet, but we are looking at whether or not to outsource our payroll and HR advisory function.

"We have been working up different options and we have been fully open and honest with our staff throughout the whole process.

“In common with the whole public sector, we have to make sure that we are getting the best value for public money, and if there are some support and administrative functions that can be provided to the same quality, but more cheaply by specialist providers, then we have to consider if we should take advantage of that to protect front line patient care.”