Health Chiefs In Kettering Have Thrown Out Plans To Privatise Hospital Services

Scenes of protest by health workers ahead of a meeting about possible privatisation of cleaning and catering services.

Health service staff protest as members of Kettering Health Authority arrive for a meeting which will decide about possible privatisation of certain services. Some of the COHSE banners read “Hands off the NHS” and “Care not profit in the NHS”. The reporter John Kiddey says that although people are smiling for the television camera, there is bitterness fuelling the protest. Workers have been following the concern about cleaning and catering jobs at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. Union regional officer Kumar Sandy is asked whether the authority should go for the cheapest tender so long as the job is being done properly. He replies that this is not about cheapness but about upholding standards within the health service. He believes the specifications by the health authority undermine the current standard, and workers must fight for their standards, services and jobs. People chant loudly and there are direct confrontations as the health authority members pass through the crowd. Cheers greet a Labour County Councillor Jimmy Kane who is opposed to privatisation. The health authority chairman Paul Seddon is asked for his thoughts about the demonstration and he acknowledges the strength of feeling. Some of the protesters join the audience as the meeting begins. This video was made to be shown in a news story on Anglia Television early evening news / magazine programme About Anglia.

Keywords

Trades unions; Health care services; Hospitals; Protests; Privatisation

Additional Description

Kumar Sandy worked as Regional Officer for the health trades unions COHSE and UNISON.