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Gemma Doyle MP Votes for Labour’s Bill to Protect NHS
With the National Health Service under increasing threat from privatisation, Gemma Doyle MP has voted to exclude the NHS from an international trade deal which could see it opened up to bids from international companies.
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a proposed free trade agreement between the EU and the USA which would remove trade barriers between the countries.
Doyle has said that TTIP could be good for jobs and businesses across the UK but believes it is “absolutely vital that our NHS is exempted from these negotiations.”
There is real concern that TTIP will force NHS services across the UK to open themselves up to a privatisation agenda, allowing American corporations to seek profit in the health service, regardless of patient care.
The Bill, introduced last week by Labour MP Clive Efford, also promised to scrap the Tories market framework for the NHS, and ensure that local NHS patients are always put first.
Speaking about the vote Doyle said:
“David Cameron is prepared to destabilise our national health service by letting American private companies cherry-pick the most profitable NHS services, regardless of patient need.
“TTIP could be a boost for jobs and growth in Scotland, but not when it comes to the NHS. It is absolutely vital that our NHS is exempted from these negotiations.
“I voted for this new Bill because it will end the creep towards NHS privatisation and put patients back at the heart of the NHS. It is time for the Government to listen to Parliament and put this bill into action.”