A HEALTH boss has quit over radical changes which, she claims, will "destroy the NHS as we know it."
Debbie Abrahams, head of Rochdale Primary Care Trust, has resigned after five years in charge of health services in the borough.
And she has lashed out at the government drive to increase the use of private health providers.
She spoke out as she took part in a protest over plans to axe 800 jobs in a move intended to tackle a é28m deficit at Pennine Acute NHS Trust, which runs hospitals in Bury, North Manchester, Rochdale and Oldham.
Ms Abrahams' resignation, which takes effect in September, came days after
the north west's top doctor, Prof John Ashton, 59, quit rather than face another reorganisation.
Ms Abrahams said: "I have become very concerned about the use of private providers.
"They have a place, but what we are seeing is an increased use of private providers - and there will ultimately be a point of no return."
Demonstration
An example of their use is the way PCTs - which administer services such as GPs, dentists and opticians - are encouraged to go to a private company for some surgical procedures, to take pressure off the NHS.
She added: "The use of private providers will ultimately force PCTs to close as they will become unviable and will destroy the NHS as we know it. I believe passionately in the NHS.
"It is not just about how we provide health care, it reflects and represents the values of our society.
"Private providers care primarily about making money, while the NHS cares about what is best for the patient - and when profitability is in the equation, patient care will suffer.
"There is an increased use of private providers funded with NHS money and they have a very different set of values."
About 200 demonstrators marched through Manchester centre as part of the protest against job cuts at Pennine.
Health workers, students and trade unionists carried placards and shouted slogans opposing the cuts.
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Having just watch Ms.Abrahams on the news, we should all be afraid of the Hewitts back door privatisation. Mark my words, the only people who will benefit..are the Healthy. Sounds stupid ?..just watch, that is unless we do something about it.
I too am worried about the creeping privatisation of the NHS, but I really must say to Debbie Reynolds that resigning from your post will only mean some Patricia Hewitt clone will take your place, and the impetus to privatise will only increase. We need principled people like her in post, that way she can at least protest about it. Once the post is resigned, the powers that be can just ignore you.
Is it anything to do with the merger of Rochdale PCT with Middleton & Heywood PCT? 2 Jobs into 1?
The Rochdale PCT only covered part of the Metropolitan Borough not the whole as stated in your report.