MP Debbie backs fight to halt ‘NHS privatisation’

A NEW bill aiming to repeal parts of the Government’s Health and Social Care Act has been backed by Oldham MP Debbie Abrahams.

The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP is supporting the bill, which aims to limit the private sector’s role in the NHS.

The Private Member’s Bill was backed by MPs in the House of Commons 241 votes to 18. Under it the income generated at NHS hospitals by private patients would be restricted and the compulsory tendering for NHS contracts would end.

Mrs Abrahams said: “The Tory and Lib-Dem government has forced hospitals to open themselves up to privatisation, letting private companies cherry-pick the most profitable NHS services.

Mrs Abrahams has also investigated privatisation in the NHS locally and found that Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust (responsible for local mental health services), Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group, and Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (which runs the Royal Oldham Hospital), had all spent thousands of pounds on bidding for contracts or acquiring legal and financial advice on contracts.

“Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group estimate that in 2013 and 2014, nearly £93,000 will have been spent on legal and other advice for putting services out to tender,” said the MP.