Hello readers, I've just come back from Huntingdon trades council meeting, once again only four delegates turned up. Two who probably have little right to be there, being the secretary and myself, who are not from Huntingdon, nor work there. The sad demise of this trades council is surprising to say the least, as it is on the very doorstep of Hinchingbrooke hospital. Hinchingbrooke you may remember was the first NHS hospital to be wholly privatised, in this case to Circle. It turned out to be a disaster, and now is returning to the public sector with £10 million of debt and a very uncertain future.
Even with this headlining gross miss-management of hospital employees, and a huge public debt. No single employee from the hospital turns up to support the campaigning work the trades council has been, and still is active in. Campaigns that have in no small way highlighted the management crisis, gave an early warning of the dangers of NHS privatisation. And along with other Hinchingbrooke campaign groups, may be able to lay claim, that they are responsible for delivering back into the public sector.
This though is still early days for the hospital, who's future remains unclear. The original campaign, was to keep the hospital open. It wasn't particularly successful in public hands, the campaign today, has reverted back to this original theme. No clear path has been laid for the hospital which sits on 'prime' housing land, close to the railway station and other new housing development.
One would expect with such a dangerous flirtation in the past, and an unclear future, staff would want to try and secure their future themselves. It seems not. The future of the hospital may well follow the path which is the most likely outcome for the local trades council. To be swallowed up by the expanding colossus that is Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge. Huntingdon trades council will most likely be swallowed by its closest and more powerful ally, Cambridge.
All is not lost though for those who want to save Huntingdon trades council. The next three months will see it winding down. The necessary meetings will be placed on the coming agenda's and decisions to close and cash up the funds will be taken. A last meeting, set to be July will see the decision to close a trades council, finally reach its' course. Unless delegates old return, and new arrive! It can be saved but only wit 'bums on seats' at monthly meetings, and a campaign based agenda.
Anyone living or working in the area is urged to get in contact with the trades council via SERTUC, and support it before it goes.
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