Only independence can protect Scotland's health service from Westminster spending cuts and the damaging impact of the privatisation running rampant through the NHS in England, NHS for Yes said today.
The pro-independence group was responding to news that cancer care in England could be privatised for the first time in the biggest outsourcing of health services so far.
A host of private healthcare firms have already expressed interest in securing a £690 million, 10-year contract to provide cancer care at four NHS GP-led clinical commissioning group areas in Staffordshire.
The four commissioning groups involved, which care for nearly 800,000 patients, are also seeking bids for a separate £535 million contract to provide end-of-life care. Together the contracts are worth £1.22 billion - far more than the previous record high of £500 million secured by Virgin Group for proving various health services in Surrey.
NHS for Yes, a group of more than 150 health service staff including surgeons, consultant physicians, GPs, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, hospital porters and janitors, podiatrists and paramedics, said the latest development in England underlined the necessity of a Yes vote on September 18 to fully protect Scotland's public health service.
Co-founder, Dr Willie Wilson, said: 'What is happening to the health services in England under direct Westminster control is truly horrifying and this latest example of blatant privatisation underlines that point.
'We are fortunate that health in Scotland is already devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and it is a shining example of self-government for Scotland demonstrably being far better than Westminster government. But devolution is not enough.
‘Privatisation and commercialisation are now rampant in the health service south of the border. This means that competitive tendering is now compulsory and GPs are obliged to consider which hospital offers the best deal rather than which will give the best outcome for patients.
'In Scotland, we are not going down this road - but the more Westminster cuts Scotland's budget, and the more the state withdraws from direct NHS provision in England, the greater Scotland's budget will be squeezed as a consequence because of the way the Scottish Parliament is funded. That is why it is vital that Scotland is in charge of all the revenue raised in Scotland with a Yes vote and independence. A Yes vote will give us the protection our health service needs.'
Dr Wilson said the NHS in Scotland was 'greatly treasured' by those who worked in it and by those who use its services.
He added: 'NHS Scotland battles courageously against serious health problems, many of which are clearly linked to deprivation, with outcomes that are even reflected in a significantly lower life expectancy.
'The approach to healthcare in England and Wales has diverged from that in Scotland especially over the last few years. The priority of health workers in Scotland is to work in collaboration, not in competition with each other for market share.
'We see no benefit to be derived from allowing a whole new bureaucracy to develop around healthcare delivery by private corporations with their armies of accountants, insurers, lawyers and marketing executives, competing for market share.
'Why should our taxpayers be contributing to the profits of these huge companies?'
