14.03.12
The beginning of the end?
The potential for George Eliot hospital to form a partnership with a private provider could spark the start of a new movement to outsource more and more services at trusts around the country.
With Hinchingbrooke it could fairly easily be passed off as a one-time move. The Government could assure all those concerned about the privatisation of the NHS that this was simply another option, not one that would become the norm.
Even though the hospital is only conducting preliminary investigations into a possible private partnership, there will be many who see this as the beginning of the end.
If trusts are unable to achieve foundation trust by the deadline of 2014 – and many could find themselves in this position – there are only so many ways forward. The most profitable, and therefore persuasive option, could well be outsourcing services to private companies.
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