Unison calls for pause to STP planning

5 Dec 16

Health reform plans being put together across England should be halted in order to allow for greater consultation on the planned changes, according to the trade union Unison.

Ahead of the publication of all 44 NHS sustainability and transformation plans, the union also called for greater staff involvement in the plans to help ensure they can be implemented and a government funding boost.

The STP areas bring together health and care leaders, organisations and communities to develop local blueprints for improved health, care and finances in regional areas known as footprints. It takes forward part of the NHS’ Five Year Forward View.
Concerns have already been raised that some plans are unrealistic and Unison said both the government and NHS England have failed to consult properly with the public and staff on these reforms, which are being pushed through too rapidly.

The union’s head of health Christina McAnea said health and social care had been ignored in the Autumn Statement at a time when both services desperately need more money.

“These new NHS plans will fail if the government doesn’t give the health service extra funds and staff are not on board,” she stated.

“Health and care organisations have had to show how they will make services less fragmented. But better integration is just wishful thinking without more funding.

“Unless more is done to reassure staff and the public the government will find it has little support for these plans.”

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