SNP Call For NHS Re-think On Hospital Jobs

Falkirk SNP leaders have called on NHS Forth Valley to reconsider its plans to privatise over 700 hospital catering, cleaning, porters and maintenance jobs following agreement between the Scottish Executive and Trade Unions.

There was controversy when earlier this year NHS Forth Valley announced that all non medical service staff would be transferred out of the NHS and into the private sector. Only Falkirk Council's SNP leader, David Alexander voted against the proposal when it was considered behind closed doors.

Now Cllr Alexander and SNP colleagues are demanding a re-think after announcements that a secret deal has been reached between trade unions and the Scottish Executive that no staff will transfer in future PFI contracts.

"If the Labour / Liberal Executive believe that its no longer appropriate for staff to be forcibly transferred out of the public sector in other areas of Scotland then they should intervene on behalf off Falkirk staff and reverse the decision to privatise these services.

However, this concession should not hide the fact PFI remains an expensive and unaccountable method of funding public services. We can see the shape on things to come with the news that Edinburgh Royal PFI hospital has been forced to cut its car parking charges by £3 because of public opinion. However, that hospital still charges patients £3.50 a day for the privilege of watching television.

However, restoring the jobs in the NHS of the staff privatised by New Labour would be a start."