Transferring NHS staff to outside firms is unacceptable

A new UNISON poll has revealed that the majority of the public think transferring NHS staff to private companies is unacceptable.

The poll, undertaken by ComRes, was based upon the increasing trend to transfer staff over to firms outside the NHS, which means they have separate managers as well as different ways of working to those directly employed by the health service.

Amid concerns about the piecemeal privatisation of the NHS, the survey of more than 2,000 people found that just 34 per cent believe transferring NHS staff over to work for private companies is acceptable. This is mainly due to the negative impact this could have on NHS efficiency, safety, cleanliness, food quality and employment satisfaction for staff.

The study found that 78 per cent of people believe non-medical employees are just as important to the health service as staff who deliver treatment such as doctors, nurses and midwives. Additionally, 63 per cent say it’s unfair that the transfer of staff can affect the pay and conditions of workers, meaning they are in a worse position than those in equivalent roles still employed in the NHS.

Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary, said: “It’s simply unfair. Dedicated hospital staff doing exactly the same roles shouldn’t miss out on nationally agreed pay deals, but more and more trusts are going down this route. Some are losing four-figure sums from their pay packets, which is causing financial hardship for the cleaners, caterers, porters and security staff who keep the NHS running.

“The health service is already struggling for staff and the two-tier system being created means more people will leave, with a direct impact on the quality of patient care. The next government has to call a halt to the creeping privatisation, which is tearing at the fabric of our precious NHS, and return all contracts back in house.”