Ambulance staff lobby MPs to halt sell-off plan
Monday 10 December 2012
Printable
EmailManchester ambulance workers descended on Parliament today to protest against the transfer of NHS patient transport services to private firm Arriva.
The NHS bid topped Arriva on quality but were outbid on price, raising fears it will lead to a poor-quality service for vulnerable patients and act as a blueprint for cuts elsewhere.
Arriva is due to take over running the non-emergency patient transport service from March next year.
Protesters were joined by shadow health secretary Andy Burnham and Unison leader Dave Prentis who called the decision "a disgrace.
"People in Manchester have had no say in the transfer of a valued service that many very sick patients rely on to take them for chemotherapy, dialysis, physiotherapy, scans and other appointments."
Mr Prentis said he hoped the protest would focus MPs attention on public concerns over NHS privatisation plans and cuts to ambulance services.
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