15.09.16
Labour motion condemning STP process rejected
A Labour Party proposal for full publication of the sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) was rejected by the House of Commons yesterday.
Shadow health secretary Diane Abbott called the debate after a report by campaign group 38 Degrees warned that the STPs could lead to hospitals being closed or merged.
Abbott’s motion, which was rejected by 280 votes to 195, said: “That this House notes with concern that NHS sustainability and transformation plans are expected to lead to significant cuts or changes to frontline services; believes that the process agreed by the government in December 2015 lacks transparency and the timeline announced by NHS England is insufficient to finalise such a major restructure of the NHS; further believes that the timetable does not allow for adequate public or Parliamentary engagement in the formulation of the plans; and calls on the government to publish the plans and to provide an adequate consultation period for the public and practitioners to respond.”
Abbott said that while the plans “sound anodyne and managerial”, they could be used to “force through cuts and close hospitals” and “open the door to more privatisation”.
She also said the 44 STP footprints were “ad hoc”, that many STPs are predicted to show a deficit, and their goal of increasing preventative healthcare is not compatible with public health cuts.
Abbott argued that increasing plans to cut costs by using apps and Skype to deliver medical care will discriminate against the elderly, the poor and those who do not speak English as a first language.
Alex Cunningham, another Labour MP, also said that Freedom of Information requests have shown private sector involvement in the STP consulting process.
But Philip Dunne, the health minister, defended the plans, saying: “I wish to make it absolutely clear to the House that, for all her protestations, these plans are not about cuts; they are about local areas, including commissioners, providers and local authorities, coming together and deciding how to improve services in the medium and long term.
“Some areas are taking difficult decisions, often looking to tackle long-standing problems, but this will be subject to rigorous local and national scrutiny. No changes will occur without local consultation and the normal process in the event of any proposed reconfiguration.”
In his keynote speech at the NHS Expo conference, Simon Stevens, the CEO of NHS England, also urged critics to “get behind” STPs.
(Image c. Gareth Fuller from PA Archive and Press Association Images)
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