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From The Socialist newspaper, 30 June 2021
We don't want a USA-style healthcare system
Yorkshire Ambulance workers picket in Wakefield on 1 February 2014 photo Iain Dalton (Click to enlarge)
Mick Griffiths, Wakefield and Pontefract Socialist Party
The health scrutiny committee on Labour-led Wakefield Council returned on 24 June for its first physical meeting since the Covid outbreak.
A report was received from the local clinical commissioning group (CCG) to update on progress made towards implementation of the government's NHS white paper proposals to create new 'integrated care systems' (ICS) by April 2022.
NHS campaigners have concerns that these vague proposals could lead to an entrenchment of private companies sitting on ICS boards. In reality, this is already happening.
Wakefield's health scrutiny committee agreed to write to the secretary of state for health raising concerns over the proposal to end scrutiny powers to refer objections to the secretary of state. But not a single councillor questioned increasing involvement of the private sector!
The CCG representative did state that it was a contract condition that private service providers pay employees the living wage. However, the commissioners apparently have no influence or control to enforce it!
The new local integrated care system is to cover Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
ICS contracts may become commercially confidential trade secrets servicing private profiteering interests. Local democratic accountability - tame as it is - will be lost altogether.
Wakefield council's health scrutiny committee has only raised concerns about the perceived weakening of its role, while not raising any objections to the very real threat of a fundamental break-up of the founding principles of the NHS.
We will not sit back and rely on councillors who timidly acquiesce to the Tories' attempts to dismantle the NHS and move it into the direction of a USA-style healthcare system.
Healthcare trade unions and community campaigners need to build a mass rank-and-file movement to expose, resist and defeat the NHS white paper, and build a fully funded and publicly owned and controlled alternative.
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In The Socialist 30 June 2021:
What we think
NHS after 3 July protests Trade unions must organise serious action
NHS
Fight the health and care bill
Keep private hands off NHS patient data
We don't want a USA-style healthcare system
Railways
Post-pandemic railway battles loom
News
Millionaires multiply during pandemic
Dalian Atkinson - police found guilty of killing ex-footballer
Biden police reform
Workplace news
Socialist candidate wins NIPSA general secretary election
Gateshead: Sacked electricians reinstated
Support Gary Clark for CWU executive
Support Sharon Graham for Unite general secretary
End bullying and victimisation at Oaks Park school
Unite members step up action against bullying Mungo's managers
Sandwell Leisure workers: No to 'fire and rehire'
International
German Greens: The image and reality
Campaigns
Protesters halt Nadia's eviction
Brighton: Moulsecoomb strike against academisation
York residents demand land for local community needs
Young Socialists march in London
Pride is a campaign, not a business opportunity
Readers' opinion
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2021