Unions fight NHS reforms, insurance more attractive

Several leading UK trade unions have clubbed together to fight proposed government -backed reforms of the NHS. In light of the proposed changes, private medical insurance could be more attractive.

The alliance of health unions has been created to lobby parliament in order to urge the government to change its course on the future management of the NHS. Despite agreements with some recent changes, and support for any change that benefits patient care, the unions are said to be angry over budget cuts.

The unions also had further criticism, accusing changes of being ‘top down’, and failing to win the support of staff. The general secretary of the TUC, Brendan Barber, said: Budget cuts, a constant stream of untested reforms that are never given a chance to bed down and the fragmentation of the NHS by a dash to the private sector now dominate the NHS. NHS staff are not opposed to change, but they want to be consulted and involved in improving the NHS, not just left at the sidelines. I welcome the talks with government about how to inject some meaning and content into NHS consultation structures, but this will not be enough on its own. The government needs to rethink its reform agenda, drop the dogma and work with staff to develop a positive programme for improvement.

NHS disarray and concerns over hospital hygiene and waiting lists prompts many UK consumers to choose private health insurance and other types of health insurance policy .