Amended Motion 46
Organising and the Fight Against Privatisation in NHS Scotland
‘‘That this Congress notes that, almost 73 years since the founding of our National Health Service, consecutive Westminster and Holyrood governments have organised and orchestrated attacks on the founding principles of universal and comprehensive healthcare, free at the point of delivery.
‘‘The curtain slipped when minutes of a meeting between high-ranking officials from boards across NHS Scotland were leaked to the public and the idea of a ‘two-tier’ healthcare system, where some people would pay for care, was put forward as a potential reform.
‘‘For many workers in the NHS, it is clearly evident the extent to which creeping privatisation has created a postcode lottery for services treating all patients. It is crucial that our wider movement understands the scope of the fight we face to protect and rebuild the National Health Service.
‘‘Congress calls on the STUC to:
- collaborate with NHS trade unions and campaign groups to highlight workers’ experiences within today’s NHS, as well as the role these workers must play in the future of the system;
- support affiliate NHS trade unions in organising, campaigning and recruitment of young/new entrants to the NHS, including the setting-up of events centred on recruitment and education of young health workers and their role within the trade union movement;
- campaign for investment in a program of staff recruitment and retention that encourages doctors, nurses, Allied Health professionals, auxiliary and estate staff to develop, train and remain within our NHS and end the use of insidious, overpriced agencies profiteering from the current staff crisis; and
- research and produce a report looking into backdoor privatisation highlighting the companies, organisations and individuals who are seeking to profit from the NHS in Scotland.’’
Mover: North Lanarkshire Trades Union Council
Seconder: British Dietetic Association
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