Richard Branson scoops £1bn of NHS Contracts

[Auntie Andy]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...-nhs-contracts

This government is hell bent on privatising the NHS. Sad times, don’t be ill if you are poor

[joecity]

So he gets money off the government in one hand and then gets released from a contract to pay them what's owed in another. Hope I'm wrong.

[Vimto]

Sir Richard...

Virgin. Another brand I do my utmost best to completely avoid.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Sir Richard...

Virgin. Another brand I do my utmost best to completely avoid.

Isn't it the case that Branson sold off some of the Virgin brands?

[Wales-Bales]

Interesting timing. I have a theory that Branson is just a figurehead due to his carefully cultivated man of the people image.

[joecity]

Interesting timing. I have a theory that Branson is just a figurehead due to his carefully cultivated man of the people image.

He works hard on that in fairness to him. A true man of the people who lives on a private island the other side of the world and strives to pay no tax to the exchequer but relies on old people confusing him with Noël Edmunds.

[joecity]

If Virgin Care manage to deliver the same service for less money , as they have better ways of delivering that service - then using that service would be the better choice for the budget holder as long as the same (or better) health care is provided . Why pay twice as much for something - only a fool would do that.

Ok. Why not. If however delivering the same standard of care comes at the price of decreased wages, pensions and rights then I would suggest that the standard of care won't stay the same for long. You're a business guy Clarkey. First rate no doubt but if Branson is thinking about the bottom line and the bottom line only really I.e making money which he clearly does then surely something will give ? I don't know but I am of the mind that it will.

[joecity]

I think everyone would like a first class health service of course. Better ways of doing things are great. I think they generally come from investing and not looking to cut costs. I accept your points. I am baffled why there is such a drive to make profit out of health and can't get my head around why if any profit needs making then why can't the NHS do it and re invest the profits.

I know spire hospitals use the Heath operating theatre and Heath icu. It's usually the same registrars doing the same thing. I don't mind if people want to pay. Good on them.

If Virgin were pioneering new treatments then maybe that would go some way to explaining it to me but I doubt they are. I might be wrong of course but I still don't think so.

I must just be allergic to the continual out sourcing if services. I have read many comments on this board about the 70s and the state of the state as it were. It just seems like there is a rush not to have a state going on and that worries me.

[joecity]

Thanks for the figures. Interesting to see. R. E Branson and what he does and doesn't control im just gonna carry on thinking he's a shithouse if that's ok. He doesn't read this board anyway. Nice one Clarkey.

[Auntie Andy]

Now who would I trust or believe on whether it’s a good idea to privatise the NHS, Ninian C or Stephen Hawking

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...t-nhs-shake-up

“I am concerned that accountable care organisations are an attack on the fundamental principles of the NHS,” Hawking told the Guardian, explaining his move.

“They have not been established by statute, and they appear to be being used for reducing public expenditure, for cutting services and for allowing private companies to receive and benefit from significant sums of public money for organising and providing services.”

[Auntie Andy]

Now who would I trust or believe on whether it’s a good idea to privatise the NHS, Ninian C or Stephen Hawking

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...t-nhs-shake-up

“I am concerned that accountable care organisations are an attack on the fundamental principles of the NHS,” Hawking told the Guardian, explaining his move.

“They have not been established by statute, and they appear to be being used for reducing public expenditure, for cutting services and for allowing private companies to receive and benefit from significant sums of public money for organising and providing services.”

Oh and how’s the privatisation of the railways gone?

http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/12/privat...lways-6702713/

[Auntie Andy]

Oh and how’s the privatisation of the railways gone?

http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/12/privat...lways-6702713/

And this from the Daily Heil of all rags

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-bail-out.html

But it’s OK privatisation saves us money

[Auntie Andy]

Meanwhile this governments latest plans on how to control our borders

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...ard-uk-borders

NC to come in with how his aunties, sisters, brothers uncle was the pioneer of this great idea.