The London Patient Protection Pledge

Centene, the US health insurance company, through its UK subsidiary Operose Healthcare, has recently taken over 49 GP practices across Greater London.

I am deeply troubled by the implications of these takeovers for the quality of patient care and for the pay and conditions for GP practice staff.

I worry that this could increase health inequalities for Londoners.

Operose’s track record of closing GP practices for not being profitable here in the UK[1], as well as their owner’s (Centene’s) own track record in the US of being found guilty of underpayment of doctors and underprovision of doctors for patients[2], suggests Londoners’ primary health care needs should not be put in Centene’s hands.

I, therefore, oppose the takeover of GP practices in London by Centene’s subsidiary, Operose Healthcare.

If elected, I will fight to take back our NHS GP practices from Centene and oppose any other takeovers by profit-driven private corporations.

If elected, I will also fight against the privatisation of the NHS at every opportunity I have as a London Assembly member or as Mayor of London.