A private debate

The Hospital Linen Managers' conference proved thought provoking, in particular its examination of laundry strategies under the much talked of NHS Plan.

  In the light of the Government's focus on public private partnership, it seems much of the funding for laundry services is going to have to come from private funds; trusts are going to have to work together to maximise assets; the decline of the public sector is likely to continue.

It is gratifying that the hear that civil servants recognise that the profile of linen services needs to be raised. But it's depressing to hear that little investment will be forthcoming.

Hospital laundries have long realised the need to be more efficient. Many already fund investment by seeking private contracts - the need for a partnership is acknowledged.

At trade association level too, public and private sectors are trying to settle their difficulties and are talking about how to move forward, which must be welcomed.

But amid all the talk of partnership, it must be recognised that the public sector still needs funding. Commenting on the conference, delegate John Duffy bemoaned the lack of young managers coming into the public sector and lack of investment in training (see page 20.) Hospital laundries are closing. The statement that trusts could be sweating the laundry's assets out then closing them down seems too true all too often. Peter Morales, a visitor from Malta talking to me at the conference was at pains to emphasise the point: "How can the private sector be more competitive - they have to make a profit?" And as Mr Collingwood in his talk pointed out, hospital laundry services could be used as a "loss leader" by some.

The idea of partnership could be a sound one, but we still need the public sector. If it is not allowed to invest (and receive investment), if the "bean counters" are too active in closing laundries, the service may not be there when the Government needs it.