NHS porters slam 'diabolical' toilet break rules

A union is balloting porters in Southampton over strike action (generic image)

Porters working for an NHS hospital have accused managers of imposing "diabolical" toilet break rules and removing chairs to discourage short rests.

Staff at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) were told to ask for permission to go to the toilet, with women having to request extra time if they had their period, porters told the BBC.

On Monday, the Unite union, which represents 59 porters at UHS, opened a ballot for strike action.

The trust that runs the hospital said staff were not required to ask for toilet breaks and it had launched an external investigation.

Hospital porters make sure patients are at the right place at the right time to get the treatment they need.

Tensions between porters at UHS and managers have risen over the last two years, the BBC understands.

One porter, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "We’re treated like we’re nothing, absolutely nothing whatsoever, like some colleagues call us 'just scummy porters'.

"How can you ask people to ask to go to the toilet, or something so personal, like if you’re on your period?

"I can't even comprehend somebody's thought pattern that it is acceptable to ask someone that, it’s just diabolical."

Chief people officer Steve Harris said the allegations were "really upsetting"

Another said: "We get stressed, we get frustrated with our job, we get tired... our morale is so down."

A third told the BBC: "We are constantly understaffed.

"In the years I’ve been here, the hospital has probably increased in size and capacity by 25, 30, maybe even more, per cent."

Porters also raised a lack of working drinking water fountains as an issue.

The trust said there had been no reduction in the number of porters and temporary staff were sometimes brought in to fill gaps.

Steve Harris, chief people officer at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said he first became aware of the allegations in August.

He said: "It's obviously really upsetting to hear that our porters are feeling this way.

"I immediately commissioned an external review to look at the culture within the department and also to look at how the department is structured, the capability within the department, the skills.

"No-one in the organisation is required to essentially inform their supervisor or their manager when they're menstruating.

"Our porters are entitled to three official breaks during every shift and are actively encouraged to stay hydrated using any of the water cooler facilities throughout our hospitals."

Mr Harris added that the trust remains in active discussions with UNITE and is also considering plans "to ensure patient services and safety are maintained" if a strike takes place.