The news comes as concerns over ‘creeping privatisation’ mount just days before the Tory health reforms get a second reading in the House of Lords.
Dame Karlene Davis spoke out against the private sector taking an increasingly big role at a special lecture on Wednesday (5 October).
The former general secretary of the RCM stated her opinions in a question and answer session after her lecture ‘Is choice in childbirth a Western indulgence?’
A member of the audience asked her whether private sector growth in the NHS was a good or bad thing.
Dame Karlene said: ‘I think that what it might offer isn’t necessarily the solution to what women want.
‘I think ideologically it’s very hard to ignore what’s going on in Britain and it would mean that money would be dropping out of the NHS.’
She added that ‘choice doesn’t always mean unfettered choice’.
Cathy Warwick, RCM general secretary, was among those who attended the lecture at London South Bank University.
Speaking to
Midwives about Dame Karlene’s comments after the event, she said:
‘What is important is that choice is equally available to all women, regardless of their ability to pay.
‘The increasing marketisation of the NHS could result in unequal distribution of choice.’
Dame Karlene, who studied at the university, was speaking at the first of its new
Professional Lecture Series.
This is being held to promote the university’s links with leaders in industry and showcase the work of academics who studied there.
