THERE are no proposals to privatise cleaning other ancillary services within the Manx NHS, Health Minister David Anderson insisted.
He was quizzed in Tynwald after a letter was sent out by the department’s chief executive David Killip to managers and staff in hospital support services inviting them to briefings about how these service could be delivered in a different way.
Bill Henderon (Douglas North) had asked the Minister to make a statement about the letter which he claimed had gone to all staff at Noble’s Hospital regarding the possible privatisation of services.
But Mr Anderson replied: ‘I would like to correct certain element of the honourable member’s question. The letter as not sent to all staff at Noble’s Hospital and not does it relate, in isolation to the possible privatisation of services.’
The Minister explained that as part of the government-wide scope of government review process, a range of services were being examined to see whether they could be delivered by other means, of which privatisation was but one of many alteratives.
He said the letter had been sent out to managers and staff in the services that are being subject to the scope of government analysis.
These included hospital support services - including those provided to Ramsey District Cottage Hospital and Mental Health - covering laundry, catering, portering/security, cleaning/housekeeping, switchboard, accommodation, stores, volunteers’ co-ordination and sterile services.
Other support services being examined are management information and technology, occupational health, the corporate services team, education and training including the library, medical records, medical secretaries, prison healthcare and patient transfers.
Mr Anderson said the purpose of the letter was to invited relevant staff to the briefing at Keyll Darree to explain the background and purpose of the scope exercise and the procedure that will now follow.
‘The department is not planning to contract out services,’ he replied in answer to a second question from Mr Henderson. He said the unions had been invited to the briefings and officials had found them informative. ‘The process, going forward, will be fully communicated and discussed with them,’ he added.
In a separate question, Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan) asked whether, in view of the proposals to privatise the cleaners and other manual workers, the Minister would review management and the whole structure of the health service to get value for money.
Mr Anderson said: ‘The department has no proposals to privatise cleaning or other services provided by manual workers and consequently the question runs the risk of causing confusion and concern.’
He said the six most senior posts were independently reviewed in 2011 and reviews had also led to significant structural changes at Noble’s.
