Public Question received from Mr Ken Kirk:

“Worries about NHS under an ICS are …

1. Rationing of care - owing to specified financial limit, care will be limited, possibly denied, quality downgraded;

2. More privatisation without transparency, see HSSF’s list of mainly private companies https://www.england.nhs.uk/hssf/supplier-lists/#shared-or-integrated-care-records

3. Private executives in decision-making positions, despite Bill amendments, can be on place-based committees, IC Partnerships;

4. Patients at risk – removes need for discharge assessment;

5. Deregulation of professions – down-skilling of medical care and ‘race to the bottom’ on pay/T&Cs.

Some councils have issued demands (a) – spending determined in partnership with LAs, guaranteed full access to services etc.

What action should you take to defend our health services?”