25 signatures reached
To: The Government
Stop the sell off of 'NHS Professionals'.
The government should not sell off 'NHS Professionals'
to the private sector. Any current plans to do this should be put on hold with immediate effect pending an independent investigation which fully takes into account the existing benefit of NHS Professionals to the NHS
( government estimates this amounts to £70million annually).
Why is this important?
Private agencies providing nurses , doctors and other health workers charge roughly 15 to 30 % more to provide 'agency' and locum staff. This represents a huge burden on the NHS finances , especially so given staff shortages generally.
Recent news reports suggest that Jeremy Hunt has proposed a sell off of the NHS own in-house agency, NHSP, (NHS Professionals),leaving the Department of Health with a small minority share of any new company. Furthermore it would seem that this is being undertaken at a time of year when. Parliamentary scrutiny is less likely to occur, being 'slipped in ' during the summer recess.
At the very least it is important that this is now put on hold to give an opportunity for plans to receive full public scrutiny.
NHSP is an important arm of the NHS, providing valuable services in house and saving the NHS and taxpayer large sums of money. At a time when private agencies themselves have been subject to concern, the role of NHSP should be strengthened and not undermined.
NB "NHS Professionals (NHSP) helps the health service in England tackle its staffing crisis by arranging for doctors and nurses on its books to cover shifts, to avoid gaps in rotas that could threaten patient safety.
Labour has asked the National Audit Office to look into why Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is selling off a profitable and effective company owned by the Department of Health". Reported in The Guardian 27/7/17
