SHA 2021 Labour Party conference motion

Socialist Health Association 
Care according to need, not cuts for private profit

Position statement on integrated care systems:

In its Health and Care Bill 2021-22, the Government intends to replace England’s national health service with 42 unaccountable, statutory Integrated Care Systems (ICS) whose boards will issue binding plans. The ICSs will mean more private health contracts; lower standards of care through professional deregulation, downskilling of care providers and more outsourcing of NHS jobs; a postcode lottery of reduced and rationed services, partially replaced by ‘digital’ options and volunteers; loss of national agreements on pay and conditions of NHS staff; and significant spending cuts.

We call on the Labour Party, the labour movement, the health and care professions and all who support the NHS to join us in doing everything possible to alert the public, trade unions, local councillors and MPs to the threat posed by Integrated Care Systems and the Health and Care Bill. The dramatic loss of local accountability in our most treasured public service is another key concern.

We demand a halt to the Health and Care Bill and a meaningful and transparent public and Parliamentary consultation to decide how health and social care services should be provided in England. We need legislation to end completely the destructive effects of the 2012 Health and Social Care Act and to bring about universal, comprehensive,  publicly provided and closely coordinated NHS and social care services, free at the point of use and fit for the 21st century, as per the NHS Bill (see www.nhsbillnow.org)

We call also for greater collaboration with the Labour Parties in the devolved nations, in order to learn from their experiences in continuing to promote a public NHS in their jurisdictions.


SHA 2021 Labour Party conference motion:
Care according to need, not cuts for private profit
Conference notes the Tory Government proposals to establish unaccountable, statutory Integrated Care Systems (ICS) boards with binding plans. The ICSs will mean more private contracts; lower standards through professional deregulation, downskilling and more outsourcing of NHS jobs; reduced and rationed services (partially replaced by ‘digital’ options and volunteers); and significant spending cuts.

Conference resolves:

1. To actively alert local councillors and MPs to the threat posed by Integrated Care Systems and the dramatic loss of local accountability.

2. To use all means to actively oppose the ICSs including that the shadow health team and the Parliamentary Labour Party will vigorously oppose the establishment of ICSs and their roll-out in England

3. To demand a meaningful public and Parliamentary consultation to decide how health and social care services are provided in England.

4. To introduce legislation to end the destructive effects of the 2012 Health and Social Care Act and to bring about universal, comprehensive,  publicly provided and closely coordinated NHS and social care services, free at the point of use and fit for the 21st century, as per the NHS Bill at www.nhsbillnow.org

5.To promote greater collaboration with the Labour Parties in the devolved nations, in order to learn from their experiences in continuing to promote a public service NHS in their jurisdictions