Stop Ambulance Privatisation in Greater Manchester
Last week it was announced that Arriva, a bus company, had been awarded preferred bidder status on a 3 year contract for non-emergency patient transport in Greater Manchester. The service provides non-urgent transport to and from hospital appointments for those with real medical needs.
Even though an in-house bid scored better on service quality, Arriva won the contract as the lowest priced option. Labour and Unison are deeply concerned that profits will be put before the needs of patients – leading to declining service quality that will hit patient care. Elsewhere in the UK where Arriva has taken over local ambulance services, they have been in receipt of numerous complaints.
Ambulances should be for people, not profit. We believe we must keep this vital service in public hands.
Please sign Unison's petition to keep our ambulances public, at http://www.savemanchesterpatienttransport.org.uk/petition/