Selling off our NHS

I FOUND the remarks made by Louise Silverton, director for midwifery (Globe Mailbox, March 6, 2013), disingenuous to say the least.

In fact, to suggest awarding a midwife working for a private company will somehow ‘ring fence’ government’s funding for midwife services per sea, is frankly risible!

As we all know, Jeremy Hunt, minister for health, is attempting to give the final death blow to the NHS.

He is hellbent, at the behest of the coalition government, to dismember and sell off the most profitable aspects of the NHS to private enterprise, including midwifery services, leaving the carcass to be salvaged by the general public - the very people who have paid for the upkeep of our hospitals and health care service over the decades.

At the annual conference in Brighton on December 13, 2012, Francise O’Grady, the TUC secretary, said she was worried about private companies who were circling the NHS - companies who will ‘prioritise births not likely to be problematic or complicated.’ In other words, private companies such as ‘One to One’ who will cream off profits for private gain leading to a two-tier system of maternity services.

Primary health care organisations, PFI, Trust Status hospitals, all government initiatives, have done nothing to enhance the health of our nation.

Empire building, self aggrandizement and self promotion are the order of the day!

We are reminded daily of their often tragic incompetence. Do we want to subject our mothers and their unborn babies to the same system?

I sincerely hope not.

Shame on those who would do so without a pang of conscience.

The NHS is not the brightest jewel in our, it is the only remaining jewel in our crown.

Mrs Stephanie Miller, Upton.

Comments(2)

Ch Changes says...
3:41pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Unfortunately Mrs Millers letter requires clarification. One to One midwives do not pick and choose, they look after 'all risk' women. They do not turn anyone away even if they are being looked after by someone else. Women can swop to One to One if they choose. One to One are an NHS provider of midwifery services and receive no more income then any other NHS provider of maternity services in England.

My relative chose to use One to One as it was the only local provider where they could access the same midwife 7 days per week. Our midwife was fantastic and was always there for us and the whole family benefitted from her. She would come to come to the home for unlimited appointments (at anytime) and was someone who a relationship was built which was so important. One to One provide a different service to other local providers and having a choice is marvellous.

My relative chose to use 'One to One' and any woman and Wirral can do the same. It would be a backward step if this choice was taken away as I understand many women and their families have benefitted immensely from this safe service which has to be the most important issue.

Finally well done Lauren for being awarded 'midwife of the year'. Your achievement and that of all One to One midwives is the NHS at its best and no one should take this away.

digsy says...
6:44pm Tue 2 Apr 13

They cannot offer the same midwife 7 days per week as all midwives are limited by nhs and european rules as to how many hours they are allowed to work in one day or one week. Other nhs providers also provide home visits and operate seven days per week so this is not unique, very questionable marketing if you ask me.

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