Reports today of the scale of the difficulties facing another NHS Hospital Trust in England have demonstrated the failings of PFI and the privatisation agenda south of the border and highlighted why decisions are best made for Scotland by those 100 per cent elected by people in Scotland and not Westminster.

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust is losing £100,000 a day, with services set to be substantially cut as a result. Earlier this year it was discovered that the PFI hospital in Wakefield which is part of this trust was turning away ambulances because of a lack of capacity. These developments follow the recent announcement that South London Healthcare was in danger of being dissolved, despite having received £150 million in bailouts over the last three years.

Commenting, SNP MSP Sandra White who sits on the Health and Sport Committee said: “This latest private health crisis for the NHS in England shows just how badly PFI has damaged the health service south of the border. Trusts are buckling under staggering levels of debts and their problems are only being exacerbated by the privatisation agenda being pursued there.

“These developments clearly show that decisions are better made for Scotland by those Scotland has full responsibility for electing instead of a Tory-led Westminster government which Scotland rejected.

“Scotland’s track record of free personal care, free prescriptions, free eye tests and record NHS dentist registrations stand in stark contrast to what is happening south of the border. That is what the independence the NHS in Scotland already enjoys has allowed us to achieve.

“Although we are insulated from the Tories’ determination to dismantle the NHS one piece at a time, the cuts they are making are in danger of having a knock-on effect on Scotland’s budget. Only the powers of an independent Scotland can fully guarantee the future of Scotland’s NHS.

“The contrast in what is happening to the NHS north and south of the border means that Labour have a very important question to answer.

“Why do they believe it is better having decisions that jeopardise our NHS in Scotland made by over 90% of Westminster Parliamentarians, including Peers and frequent Tory-led governments, who are not directly elected by people in Scotland instead of a Scottish Parliament 100% directly elected by people in Scotland?”

Notes:

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust losing £100k a day
PFI hospital turning away ambulances