NHS in crisis: Stop Hunt's hospital closure plans

Andy Bentley

Tory Health Minister Jeremy Hunt's decision to dissolve Mid Staffs Health Trust has taken a long time - but it comes as no shock.

The announcement has probably been timed to aid the government's plan to speed up the provision of rich pickings for the private vultures circling the NHS.

After campaigners' court victory against the closure of Lewisham Hospital's A&E, the government is using the announcement about Mid Staffs to rake up all the old discredited media attacks on health workers.

This is designed as a smokescreen to help rush an amendment to the Care Bill through Parliament. Dubbed the 'Hospital Closure Clause', if passed, it will allow the fast-track closure or privatisation of hospitals in as little as 40 days.

But, despite NHS workers at Stafford being pilloried relentlessly by the mass media and political leaders of all three parties for their 'failures' at Stafford hospital, the responsibility for any failures is to be found elsewhere.

To become a Foundation Trust in 2005, Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust needed to comply with financial targets set by the then Labour government.

It had to 'overcome' a debt of Ł10 million while forking out more money on a private finance initiative (PFI) deal to build a new entrance.

This was paid for with 160 job losses in 2006 on top of the 100 that had already been cut. But this 'successful' outcome for the Labour government and financial rulers proved to be a disaster for some patients.

It's clear that the government learned a valuable lesson from the 50,000 who marched in Stafford against the attacks on Stafford Hospital last April.

Through their rapidly moving amendment to the Care Bill they want to prevent this type of opposition on the streets again.

Lessons

Health trade unions and health campaigners also need to draw the necessary lessons from the Stafford march.

Firstly, it confirmed that a massive accumulated anger exists at the attacks on the NHS by this and the previous Labour government.

Secondly, it also clearly demonstrated that a plan of action, drawn up by the health trade unions and local communities to carry out an organised campaign against the dismantling and privatisation of the NHS, including strike action if necessary, would receive the support of millions across Britain.

It would have the potential to stop the privatisation juggernaut in its tracks and herald the end of this government even before the next general election.

It would also be a warning to any incoming government to keep their hands off the NHS.

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