Hospital jobs to be outsourced from NHS

NHS foundation trust chief executive Nick Hulme previously said the priority was patient care and safety

A hospital trust confirmed cleaning, catering, security and porter jobs would be outsourced.

Staff at Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) previously walked out over proposals to move roles out of the NHS.

The move will impact those working at sites including Colchester Hospital and Aldeburgh Community hospital.

Unison described the move as "reckless" and said its members had vowed to fight the decision.

The trust previously said the majority of workers affected were at Colchester Hospital with most "soft facility management" services at Ipswich Hospital already outsourced to a private company.

Under the new plans, it is thought staff at Ipswich Hospital would move to be under a new provider but no jobs were thought to be at risk.

A spokesperson for the trust said a preferred partner for the outsourced jobs has been chosen and the move to using an external partner would result in a "single, consistent approach across all its sites".

They said no more information could be given until at least 17 December "once the relevant due process has been completed".

'Reckless'

Unison eastern head of health, Caroline Hennessy, said: "It's incredibly disappointing to see ESNEFT make this reckless decision to sell essential cleaners, porters, caterers and other staff out of the NHS.

"Public, political and academic opinion is all turning against outsourcing because it's worse for patients and worse for workers.

"ESNEFT still has time to do the right thing and decide to deliver all facilities services — at Colchester, Ipswich and across its community sites — in house."

Lucas Bertholdi-Saad, regional organiser for Unison said staff felt like their views had not been taken into consideration.

"There's been anger and a lot of disappointment with the trust and trust leadership," he said.

Pam Cox, Labour MP for Colchester said she was "disappointed" by the decision.

"It was not the outcome I had hoped for," she added.

"I have heard from many local people that these jobs are so important when they are treated at Colchester Hospital.

"I want to see the NHS workforce valued and invested in by this government and their employers."