Essex and Suffolk health bosses risked safety, says UNISON

Cleaners, porters, housekeepers and security staff working in hospitals were on strike for a week last month over East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust's (ESNEFT) decision to consider outsourcing some services to a private company.

UNISON, which organised the strike, said that during the walkout workers were brought in by private company OCS to do their jobs - however, the union says these workers were untrained. 

It said that the temporary staff drafted in were inexperienced in monitoring blood and oxygen levels.

UNISON claims that the new workers were not trained in how to monitor blood and oxygen levels. (Image: UNISON Eastern)

A spokesperson for ESNEFT said: "We recognise and uphold everyone’s right to take industrial action and we are very grateful to all volunteers and employees of other organisations who put patient care first.

"Our colleagues have demonstrated kindness, compassion and care during this time."

The trust added that members of staff who covered during the strike were given training from external partner organisations.

UNISON Eastern regional organiser Sam Older said the trust was utilising "sticking plaster solutions" for major issues.

He added: “It’s no surprise the trust has taken such a cavalier attitude to patient safety.

"There’s overwhelming evidence that outsourcing leads to dirtier hospitals and higher infection rates, but trust bosses are ploughing on regardless.

UNISON handed a letter to ESNEFT chief executive Nick Hulme (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown, Newsquest)

The union also wrote to ESNEFT chief executive Nick Hulme, saying the trust was "reckless" in bringing in strike-breakers from areas such as Newcastle and Manchester. 

UNISON also alleged that when strikers returned to work, they found milk and food left out beyond their use-by dates.

It added some patients did not receive at least one hot meal a day while caterers were picketing.

The strike and its OCS staff affected Colchester Hospital and other community sites such as Aldeburgh and Felixstowe hospitals, as well as the rehabilitation clinic at Bluebird Lodge in Ipswich.

Ipswich Hospital, which is also run by ESNEFT, was not affected by these strikes, as the services there are already outsourced and run by OCS. 

However, the private firm's contract comes to an end in April 2025, following which the trust wants to privatise services across all of its sites.

Colchester's Labour group have raised concerns about the privatisation plans, and written to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting asking to act on this. 

Their letter states: "Labour were recently elected on a manifest to stop any further outsourcing in the NHS and we hope as Secretary of State that you can take the necessary action to make sure this pledge is fulfilled."

As a result, another strike action has been announced by UNISON that will take place between Tuesday, September 10 and Saturday, September 14.