Privatisation ‘will not solve problems in health sector’

PRIVATISING large chunks of the Health Service will do nothing to solve the problems in the sector, a union boss has warned.

Privatisation of parts of our public health system is among the biggest challenges facing health staff and service users, according to IMPACT health and welfare division cathaoirleach Chris Cully.

She said too much public money is already being siphoned off into profit-motivated private care.

Speaking at the union’s health conference in Kilkenny, she said she was increasingly disturbed about an emerging government mantra of “public bad, private good” where our health services are concerned.

She said international experience showed increased private health provision would not solve the problems.

Privatisation hasn’t worked in Britain and she said she said the Irish Government seems intent on making the same mistakes. “Above all, I’m extremely concerned that a seductively simple slogan - public bad, private good - will become the latest smokescreen for politicians who are reluctant to make real investment in our public health services.

“If anything, you can argue that too much public money is already being siphoned off into profit-motivated private care. We all know that there are many problems in our health services and that there are no simple solutions.

“But lining the pockets of private sector operators would be bad news for patients, service users and the taxpayer,” she said.

The 250 conference delegates will today debate a motion that opposes privatisation by stealth and calls for a value-for-money review of public funding of private health service delivery.

Ms Cully said health workers were committed to real reform. But cutting staff and focusing solely on changing administrative structures would not deliver better or more equitable services.

Ms Cully said the replacement of health boards with the Health Service Executive had so far delivered no tangible improvements.