UNISON has today sent and open letter regarding devastating health and social care cuts being proposed in Argyll & Bute (see link on right)
Simon Macfarlane, UNISON Regional Organiser said: “Since news of these shocking proposals began to break UNISON has been inundated with members contacting us to express their dismay and fears, both for their own jobs and the services they provide. The vast majority of our members working in Argyll & Bute Health & Social Care Partnership live in Argyll & Bute, so they not only provide the services, they and their families use them too.
“The people of Argyll and Bute know only too well the dangers of outsourcing services, in the last 18 months we have seen independent providers go bust, walk away or be shut down due to appalling standards. It is incredulous that against this backdrop the Integrated Joint Board is being asked to privatise all home care services.
“We thought the days of privatisation of public services are over in Scotland but it appears to be alive and well in Argyll & Bute.
“Our open letter states clearly UNISON is willing to work together with the NHS and Argyll & Bute Council to find a way forward that saves jobs, avoids privatisation, protects services and delivers an affordable budget. We are also clear though that if these cuts progress they will face outright opposition from UNISON and we will be calling on Ministers to intervene.”