Uncertainty for hundreds of Dorset NHS workers under controversial outsourcing plans

More than 1,300 NHS staff employed by hospitals in Dorset face the possibility of inferior pay and conditions under controversial plans to transfer them to a new company*, says UNISON today (Wednesday).

Three trusts – Dorset HealthCare, Dorset County Hospital and University Hospitals Dorset NHS Trusts – have announced proposals to transfer all estates and facilities staff into one wholly owned subsidiary company (SubCo).

UNISON says that moving the affected workers – who include porters, cleaners, catering teams, estates staff, and health & safety officers – to a separate company puts their pay, pension and job security at risk.

The plans also fly in the face in the face of ministers’ promises to end the two-tier workforce and bring about the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation, says the union.

UNISON South West regional manager Jayne Jackson said: “These are the staff who keep our hospitals running. They clean wards, serve meals, maintain buildings, transport patients and deserve to be treated like any other NHS worker.

“Moving them to a separate company puts their pay, pensions and job security at risk.

“Ministers promised the biggest wave of insourcing in a generation and are introducing new employment rights legislation to help end the two-tier workforce. Urging trusts to outsource their porters, cleaners, security guards and catering staff to arms-length companies flies in the face of all this.”