'Health policy needs a U-turn' (From Oxford Mail)

'Health policy needs a U-turn'

6:30pm Friday 6th July 2007 in News By Victoria Owen

Health campaigners have used the NHS's 59th birthday to urge Gordon Brown's new Government to reverse the growing privatisation of the service.

Members of the Oxford branch of the Keep Our NHS Public (KONP) campaign held parties across the city on Thursday to highlight their concerns about health care in the area.

They believe by the NHS's 60th anniversary, the majority of hospitals will be run like commercial enterprises, with little regard for what patients want.

In recent years, NHS trusts have been encouraged to apply for foundation status, which would give them a free rein over their own budget and finances.

Also, hospitals are now expected to compete for patient business, and only get paid for the work they do.

At the same time, the Government has introduced independent treatment centres across the UK, which are privately run clinics where patients can have minor operations like cataracts and orthopaedics.

KONP fears the changes will lead to hospitals dropping services they feel are not financially viable, despite the needs of patients in the area.

Dr Helen Groom, a GP at East Oxford Health Centre and secretary of Oxford's KONP, said: "We're concerned that by July 5 next year almost all hospitals will be foundation trusts driven by profit and not local patients' needs.

"If the Government is now reviewing the NHS we'd like them to put a hold on foundation trusts, stop independent treatment centres and review its policy on choice, to make sure people have good local services."

Campaigners highlighted their fears with balloons and birthday cake outside Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust's headquarters, at Oxford Business Park in Cowley, as well as outside East Oxford Health Centre off Cowley Road, and at the Oxford Children's Hospital in Headington.

Their demands for an end to foundation hospitals came as Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Healthcare Trust's bid for foundation status was delayed.

Managers said the Department of Health had stalled their application because it required them to do more work on their financial planning, but they still expected to achieve the status by early 2008.

Chief executive Julie Waldron said "It's disappointing, but I'm confident we can resubmit the financial information very quickly.

"I'm very happy that we have the support of over 4,000 members who'll be able to share their views and experience with us to improve local mental health services."