NHS trust extends time for consultation over private firm transfer bid
AN NHS trust is set to allow more time to consult its workforce over controversial plans to transfer staff to a private company.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is expected to defer a decision on whether to proceed with the plan, which would affect more than 2,000 staff, at an extraordinary board meeting today.
Under the cost-cutting proposal, estates and facilities, supply chain and procurement and medical engineering services would be run by a private firm owned and controlled by the trust.
Staff affected would include porters, cleaners, housekeepers and engineers.
The plan is opposed by health union Unison and East Leeds MP Richard Burgon, who has raised concerns that it would lead to some NHS staff being employed on less favourable terms and conditions than others.
A report to today’s meeting said the formation of the whollyowned subsidiary (WOS) company would deliver about 20 per cent of cost savings the trust needs to make in 2018-19.
Not going ahead with the plan would “place a significant risk on the trust’s financial position”, the report said.
But the report said the trust board was asked to defer the decision to establish the company and approve an extension to the consultation with staff.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals has said it intends to keep existing staff who transfer to the company on their current terms and conditions.
The trust said the formation of the company could generate income and savings which could be reinvested into patient care.
It could also lead to some services already outsourced to private firms being taken over by the trust’s own company.
The report said: “Engagement with staff from the affected groups, trade union representatives and the wider organisation is a key part of the approach to develop the proposal.”