Striking NHS staff at Essex hospital vow to continue fight as 350 jobs come under threat

  • ITV News Anglia's Tanya Mercer reports from Colchester Hospital as NHS bosses announce outsourcing of hundreds of jobs.

Staff at an NHS hospital trust have vowed to take more action to fight what they say is a "reckless" decision to outsource their jobs to private companies.

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust announced on Monday it was planning on outsourcing hundreds of cleaners, porters, housekeepers and facilities staff in a bid to save money.

The decision will put 350 jobs at risk at Colchester Hospital and other sites and staff have already taken more than thirty days of strikes against the plan.

Currently in the midst of a three-week walkout, they have vowed to keep fighting against the decision that would come into force in April next year.

NHS Trust documents seen by ITV News Anglia claim it would save the "equivalent of 8.5 per cent" of the service's annual bill.

On the picket line, staff said private contractors would be driven by profit instead of patient care and that corners would be cut on cleaning and food standards.

Staff on the picket line outside Colchester Hospital Credit: ITV News Anglia

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."

The Trust said in a statement: "Following a competitive tender exercise, including evaluation of the shortlisted bids – involving clinical and non-clinical Trust staff – a preferred partner has been chosen to deliver these service.

"The Trust is not able give any further information about this until 17 December."In an outline of the business case prepared by the Trust which has been seen by ITV News Anglia it says "the service’s annual bill could be cut by "the equivalent of 8.5 per cent."

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