12 September 2011 Last updated at 08:20 ET
Betsan Powys, Political editor, Wales Article written by Betsan Powys Political editor, Wales

Yeah but no but to using the private sector in the NHS?

 
Vicky Pollard Has the Health Minister "gone Vicky Pollard"?

Have I already had a stab at explaining the implications of the Welsh government giving the go-ahead for the use of the private sector in the health service?

Yes, just five days ago.

Was this go-ahead specifically and as a last resort to LHBs who are struggling to cut waiting times for orthopaedic surgery?

Yes.

When asked for their reaction to the news that the NHS in Wales is now planning to buy in private treatment for orthopaedic patients, did the government say that "it is prudent for health boards to explore all possible avenues to ensure our targets are met by March."

Yes.

Was the political significance here that Welsh Labour's manifesto written for May's Assembly election said that Labour had delivered on a pledge to "eliminate the use of private sector hospitals in NHS Wales and will continue to rule out the use of PFI in health services"?

Yes.

Has the Health Minister today said that she "completely rejected the privatisation of NHS services".

Yes.

Got you. So LHBs are absolutely NOT being given the go-ahead to turn to the private, or independent sector to get out of trouble and hit their waiting list targets?

No... well yes... well... the Minister "would prefer not to see any independent sector used".

Is that a yes? Or a no?

Preferably no. "Using private, independent sector must be a very short term and must be a last option."

Hang on, isn't that by definition a yes?

Yes it is, says Conservative health spokesman Darren Millar. It is a yes and comes from a minister who - caught in that painful spot between principle and pragmatism - has come over all Vicky Pollard.

Yeah, but no, but...

Is this not a case of a Minister denying something that hasn't been claimed - the wholesale privatisation of the NHS in Wales? It does feel a bit like it, with a tacit nod along the way to those who feel they must turn to the private sector to get one, small part of the job done.

Right?

Yeah, but no, but yeah, but...

 
Betsan Powys, Political editor, Wales Article written by Betsan Powys Betsan Powys Political editor, Wales

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  • rate this
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    Comment number 1.

    I find it pitiful when a discussion topic is set that some commenter’s resort to bigoted, xenophobic remarks which is the realm of the ignorant, predujdice & traitorous when challenged. Sadly like all backward thinking societies they gang attack your stance because it shows their fear, lack of a national conscience & allegiance to ones country. Shameful is not the word, You all know who you are!

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    +1

    Comment number 2.

    1.MabionGlyndwr.

    Here we go again. No one had disicussed anything yet and we are all predujdiced and traitors.

    I am definately certain now. Don't be taken in by him he is not who he is portraying.

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    0

    Comment number 3.

    This is a difficult one.

    Out of choice I would prefer not to have the privated sector involved in the Welsh NHS. However something must be done to cut waiting lists and I am sure that many patients will welcome the move.

    A case of politicians and patients wanting the penny and the bun?

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    Comment number 4.

    When the trolls have quite finished we will discuss the topic currently in play. Now that we've just had Plaid kick themselves so far in touch they won't be in play for quite some time, we have a Labour minister struggling with the realities of life. Why should an orthopedic patient suffer excruciating immobility for an ever increasing length of time? The ideological purity of a manifesto? No.

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    +1

    Comment number 5.

    I'll say it again we wouldn't have to go down that road if the Surgeons and Consultants used their expertise solely in the NHS, instead of using the same facilities in their Private capacity.
    At the end of the day public money is being payed twice to these people through their use of NHS facilities.
    Just the same as the WVS has contracted out to a national company to supply food to their shops.

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