On the very day that the government announced a £500 million 'overspend' on the NHS (
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5055602.stm), it has been revealed that an as yet unannounced FTSE 100 company will be invited to 'help' run the Liverpool Women's Hospital. Cadbury's and Sainsbury's are believed to be in the front running.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5055602.stm), it has been revealed that an as yet unannounced FTSE 100 company will be invited to 'help' run the Liverpool Women's Hospital. Cadbury's and Sainsbury's are believed to be in the front running.
Liverpool women - who go to the hospital for maternity and gynaecological care - will in effect by guinea pigs for the government's new 'foundation hospital' scheme, where health care services are opened up to big business control.
Under the scheme, company directors will join governing boards if hospitals, advising on improvements in 'efficiency'.
According to the Liverpool Daily Post, they "could also mentor senior managers to cut costs and make services more "customer-friendly". Within a year, the scheme "could" be extended to the Countess of Chester Hospital. Other local hospitals - Aintree, the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, St Helens and Knowsley - are currently applying for foundation status.
But what's in it for Mr Cadbury Schweppes or New Labour sugar daddy Lord Sainsbury? Well they will undoubtedly get a large say in which companies win contracts to run services. This market is now worth an estimated £7 billion pounds of taxpayers' money. No wonder businesses such as Lloyds TSB, Prudential, O2 and the brewer Scottish and Newcastle are also signed up to the project, alongside Smiths Industries - who make parts for military aircraft.
For more information on how to resist those who want to make a killing out of caring, visit:
http://www.catalystmedia.org.uk/issues/nerve7/health_inequalities.htm
http://www.keepournhspublic.com/index.php
Under the scheme, company directors will join governing boards if hospitals, advising on improvements in 'efficiency'.
According to the Liverpool Daily Post, they "could also mentor senior managers to cut costs and make services more "customer-friendly". Within a year, the scheme "could" be extended to the Countess of Chester Hospital. Other local hospitals - Aintree, the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, St Helens and Knowsley - are currently applying for foundation status.
But what's in it for Mr Cadbury Schweppes or New Labour sugar daddy Lord Sainsbury? Well they will undoubtedly get a large say in which companies win contracts to run services. This market is now worth an estimated £7 billion pounds of taxpayers' money. No wonder businesses such as Lloyds TSB, Prudential, O2 and the brewer Scottish and Newcastle are also signed up to the project, alongside Smiths Industries - who make parts for military aircraft.
For more information on how to resist those who want to make a killing out of caring, visit:
http://www.catalystmedia.org.uk/issues/nerve7/health_inequalities.htm http://www.keepournhspublic.com/index.php