Dr Clive Peedell reaction to Ed Miliband speech Co-leader of the National Health Action Party, Dr Clive Peedell says: “Ed Miliband would have more credibility on the NHS and regain the trust of staff & the public, if he started by acknowledging & apologising for New Labour’s past mistakes. Yes, they did increase funding substantially, but this came at a huge cost for the founding principles of the NHS. Their “modernisation” programme was really about the marketisation and increasing privatisation of the NHS. The PFI, Independent Sector Treatment Centres, Payment by Results, and the competitive market between “any willing providers”, have all opened the door for the Tories and Liberal Democrats to hammer in the final nails into the NHS coffin. So although Labour’s promise of more funding to increase access to GPs is welcome, it is a drop in the ocean in the context of a £30bn funding gap by 2020. If Mr Miliband truly wants to reverse Labour’s betrayal of the NHS, and save it from the Tories, the answer lies in the return to Bevan’s principles. Abolish PFI and the market, and spend the £billions saved on frontline care. Focus on public health and the social determinants of health. Put NHS staff back in the driving seat and reduce reliance on management consultants and the money men. Until that happens, Labour can no longer be seen as the party of the NHS.
Posted on: Tue, 13 May 2014 15:55:21 +0000