Fears over hospital privatisation claims

- 04 February 2010

FEARS are mounting that a private European company could be about to take over the running of a hospital trust's pathology departments - which critics claim will put patients' lives and doctors' jobs at risk.

The Recorder understands that pathology staff at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust were called into an emergency meeting on Friday as bosses broke the news.

It seems that medical diagnostics group Labco, based in Paris, is poised to dangle the financial carrot in front of the debt-ridden trust - much to the anger of Prof Wendy Savage, co-chairman of pressure group Keep Our NHS Public.

She said: "Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the NHS would be the preferred provider for hospital services, but things are being put out to the private sector.

There is a total lack of evidence that this is the way to go or the private sector can do things better than the NHS.

"Private companies have an obligation to make money for shareholders and I fear this will be done by job cuts, which will in turn effect the quality of services."

Pathology is the branch of medicine concerned with the causes and effects of diseases - seen as a "vital service" by Prof Savage and Ilford South MP Mike Gapes, who was told of the plans by a hospital source.

It's the latest blow for King George Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, which could lose its A&E under Health for North East London plans.

Mr Gapes said: "I am appalled and shocked. This is a running down of services being made in advance of any public consultation decision.

"What impact will this have on patients and employees?

Private companies often cut wages to increase efficiency."

A spokesman for BHR said: "The trust has an ongoing programme of spending reviews designed to ensure we deliver best value for money.

"In addition, a recent initiative from the strategic health authority has asked that BHR consider specific efficiencies, particularly in pathology.

"No decision has been made over the future of pathology but options for efficiency improvements will be explored, as it is a trust requirement to find better value for money from all its support operations in the current, challenging climate.