Charities should be preferred NHS providers, says Andy Burnham

Not-for-profit care organisations would get longer and more stable contracts than private companies, says shadow health secretary

Charities could get 10-year contracts to help deliver NHS services if Labour wins the general election, the shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham, has told voluntary sector leaders.

Not-for-profit care organisations would be given “a form of preferred provider” status under legislation that a Labour government would introduce to replace parts of the coalition’s 2012 Health and Social Care Act. The move would recognise their contribution to strengthening communities.

Related: General election 2015: who’s promising what for the NHS?

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