It came as no surprise when Lewis MacDonald, the Deputy Health Minister
at the Scottish Parliament, effectively rubber-stamped the "prefered
option" of Lanarkshire Health Board Trust and announced the closure of
the Casualty Unit at Monklands Hospital on August 22nd.
The decision shows the "consultation exercise" over 6 weeks and costing
£50,000 of public money was, as we pointed out at the time, a complete
sham. The truth is that the horror of PFI played a most crucial part in
this latest despicable decision with regard to a hard-won political
reform. It is a decision that will cost lives. The district served by
Monklands Hospital is one of the most deprived in Britain. Deaths due
to heart disease are almost 3 times the national average, while
car-ownership is 47%. It was a cruel blow to local campaigners. 50,000
signed a petition urging the Trust to think again and thousands took
part in public meetings, organised and run by a PR company at a cost of
£50,000. These meetings were unanimous in their opposition to the
Trust's determination to close Monklands. In the summer, thousands of
locals marched in the 2 main towns served by the hospital. Such was the
controversy that the 2 MP's John Reid and Tom Clarke, and MSP's Karen
Whitfield and Elaine Smith added their voices to the condemnation. A
grassroots campaign, organised by North Lanarkshire Trades Council
under the banner "Lanarkshire Health United" was completely frozen out
by the media, as the professional politicians ran a narrow, parochial
campaign which has now backfired on them.
The Trust openly admit that private money had a bearing on their
decision. 2 of the 3 hospitls in Lanarkshire are PFI run, Monklands
being the exception. According to a report in The Herald, Aug 22nd, the
Trust were aware that under PFI contracts, the other 2 hospitals could
claim their fees even if they provided no services. This means, quite
simply, that Monklands, an NHS hospital, held no financial returns for
the profiteers. It is a shocking state of affairs, and right in
John Reid's own backyard. In fact, the Trust was mauled last year by
government auditors for "financial mismanagement" and currently runs a
£20 million debt. The feigned shock expressed by Reid should fool
no-one. As Health Secretary, he presided over the introduction of
Foundation Hospitals in England and Wales.
The fall-out from this explosive turn of events, especially invloving
Labour heavyweights like Reid (Home Secretary) and Clarke (biggest
majority of any MP in Britain) shows that when you introduce market
practices and allow the money-grubbers to run desperately needed
services, then he who pays the piper calls the tune.
