Staggers Shambles as NHS Remains State Run
The New Statesman site descended into a shambles this morning after they ran a story on an apparent hushed-up plan to privatise the NHS that turned out to be complete and utter rubbish. It sounded too good to be true…
George Eaton reported that Andrew Lansley was sneakily set to announce that the 49% cap on private work done by NHS trusts would be abolished:
“When the government unveils a policy change on a Friday it’s a sure sign that it doesn’t want you to notice. Today, Andrew Lansley will announce that the 49% cap on private work done by NHS hospitals, which his bill introduced, will be abolished. In other words, the Health Secretary has just opened the door to the full-scale privatisation of the NHS, with hospitals able to raise 100% of their income from private healthcare.”
The left exploded in uproar, even Labour MPs got involved:
Lansley to abolish 49% limit on private sector involvement in NHS. End of? G Eaton's important story in New S'man bit.ly/LkbB7U—
Denis MacShane (@DenisMacShane) July 13, 2012
Health and Social care bill raised cap on NHS hospital income from private patients to 49%. Today Lansley is dropping it totally. Debate Mon—
mary creagh (@marycreagh_mp) July 13, 2012
Unfortunately for the Staggers, the whole story turned out to be entirely untrue. They updated their post with a statement from the Department of Health, leaving Eaton and co with egg on their faces: “The Department of Health has been in touch to say that the cap is not being removed, rather that the planned 49% limit will be introduced from 1 October 2012″. Guido is disappointed that it was just rumour of an NHS privatisation, but a little Staggers schadenfreude provides some consolation…
UPDATE: The New Statesman are now trying to blame the cock-up on some sloppy churnalism from the FT, but the LibDems are in no doubt as to where the blame lies:
New Statesman has issued correction on story falsely claiming 49% cap on private work in NHS has been abolished bit.ly/MoXw6I—
Lib Dem Press Office (@LibDemPress) July 13, 2012
Its worse than the Guardian.
The NHS story is true, Lord Lucan confirmed it to me and then I met a talking horse called Shergar who said the very same thing.
Was that before or after you taught your younger brother how to be a dirty little whore?
The truth is busy getting his trousers on while the lie is half way round the world.
It’s no laughing matter. They have been flushed out!
Making stories up about Britain’s largest public service? What a crushing humiliation.
Also nice to see the speed Dennis MacShane jumps on a bandwagon. He’s been flushed out by this fabricated lie. A very silly man indeed.
Like Jim Devine but without the latter’s savvy.
Is Pierced Organ the Editor there these days?
I bet McShane on reading this made up story had to run off into a corner and have a wan*
No tweets from John Mann. Is he ‘busy’ on something else?
He had to shuffle his engagements.
Good job he wasn’t meeting his constituents like Prescott, otherwise he would have to knock one out.
VG.
Surprised that Prescott can see his…
… or his constituents.
Ey lad, if I had yer address i’d come up to t’doorstep and arrest thee you cheeky bloody bugger.
You’re welcome to try, Fatclott.
But here, it would be you that got arrested. I know that to be true because someone tried it on with me five years ago and got their collar felt because of it.
Chief, you need to read old papers. I’m sure it was Jeremy Thorpe who told us, front page and all that “Buggers can’t be Losers” but if I’m wrong, no doubt Ian His-slop will correct me.
Good to see the Staggers has issued correction. Now I’ll just wait for the Labour tweeters to issue their corrections …..
Is there any truth in the rumour that Mickey Mouse has substituted his G4S wrist watch for one bearing the image of Denis MacShane?
Does every LimpDum/LieBore mong in the country have a Twatter account?
It is what they do instead of ‘work’. In the olden days, politicians had affairs or drank themselves stupid. They call themsleves ‘progressive’.
I thought everyone with a Twitter account was called a twat.
I thought she was earning foreign exchange in the far east?
Well, she doesn’t sound laid-back.
She tweeted from Ma LAYS ia. Business must be good.
Could this be a good way to cover up two yeaterday stories where people died due to incompetence of NHS staff. Stories that would have been front and centre on BBC, Mirror, Gardian, etc if it had been a private hospital.
There stories forgotton and privatisation the demon back on the news agenda. They did well.
Good point they both happened under labours watch didnt they ?
Good point, they <– note the comma.
Labour <– note the capital 'L'.
Labour's <– note the possessive apostrophe.
didn't <– note the contraction.
Labour's watch, didn't <– note the comma.
Gosh, you are good. You should apply to join Gordon Brown’s UN world education unit.
Ahh, spelling mistakes – the favourite pedantic pursuit of those who lack the intelligence needed to engage in constructive debate.
“Could this be a good way to cover up two yeaterday stories where people died due to incompetence of NHS staff. Stories that would have been front and centre on BBC, Mirror, Gardian, etc if it had been a private hospital.”
Radio 4 covered the story of the guy who died through dehydration this morning. Since when were BBC responsible for Staggers content?
but the shadow minister who was responsible refused to comment and the story died.
As soon as this hit all these ex ministers hop straight on the bandwagon.
Its hilarious to see the usual inadequates tweeting when they dont know the truth ! you could lay a bet on who they would be.I see Mc Shane is out of the woodwork with a vengeance since the case was dropped against him !
Did he use John Terry’s lawyer as well?
The Staggers has got to drum up some activity, even a false rumour is better than nothing.
Its good though, just another demonstration of how the left are a bunch of mendacious tossers.
I thought they were being mischievous for a different reason – raise everyone’s hopes that the NHS (an organisation staffed by retárds who don’t know human beings need water in order to live) was going to be broken up and privatised, and then dash those hopes just as quickly.
Twats tweeting as Bercow, Abbot, and the prime mover in NHS privatization Andy Burnham prove.
Difficult to believe not only their hypocracy, but how toally inadequate they are.
The Toady programme this morning were wringing hands over total London hospital staff and management incompetence in allowing a young man to die of dehydration, in spite of the police visiting the hospital in answer to a 999 call from the patient. This was in the Daily Mail weeks ago but the BBC kept their heads down until the inquest. Strange they did not question Burnham on this – wonder why?
Nothing from Weird Ed, either. He usually demands an inquiry of some sort when these things happen. I wonder why he’s overlooked this?
Because they are thick as thieves.
and only half as f**king useful
Did Denis MacShane generate his message from his taxpayer funded office (aka garage)?
Do you think we could make the NS print a story about the Army being privatised and in future run by G4S?
Come on old chap. ‘Run’ implies a degree of managerial control ….not G4S’s style. all those chappies cost money
By the way, where is G4S domiciled for tax purposes? Anyone know where all that Olympic dosh is flowing out to or are they just keeping it here and paying their full whack on taxes?
Mrs Sarah Gamp for Matron!
Load of rubbish!
Who wants to pay for old tripe.