Unite questions government’s NHS land sell-off
22 July 2011
There are big question marks over the government’s plans to sell
off the NHS’ surplus land for affordable housing, Unite, the
largest union in the country, said today (Friday 22 July).
Unite’s national officer for health, Rachael Maskell, said:
”There are a number of questions that need to be clarified about
this announcement which we will be seeking answers to.
”We would be concerned if the land went to private health
providers, where the private sector may be lining themselves up to
deliver services. This would then be part of the government’s
underlying NHS privatisation agenda, which we would oppose.
”However, if the land is for public sector use, then it would be
beneficial for it go towards the building of much-needed social
housing. The issue here is that with land prices at a low level, is
this now the best time to sell the land, if the money is expected
to cross-subsidise trusts’ debts?”
Unite’s concern is over the letter that David Flory, deputy NHS
chief executive, has written to NHS managers asking for surplus
land to be identified that could be used for affordable homes, with
the money being reinvested back into the NHS to benefit
patients.
The government claims that nearly eight per cent of all NHS
space is under-used.
ENDS
Notes for news editors:
For further information please contact Unite communications
officer Shaun Noble on 07768 693940
