Staff reject Viapath transfer

Controversial outsourcing giant Serco is adversely affecting a world class NHS pathology service, Unite warned today (August 29).

The expanding tentacles of NHS privatisation are now impacting on the NHS’ flagship pathology service at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in London – partly owned by Serco.

Representing the 370-strong pathology workforce at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Unite reports recruitment and retention problems, plummeting morale, excessive workloads, skeleton weekend staffing levels and delays in processing patient samples.

“Our members have reported increased recruitment and retention issues, lower morale, skeleton weekend staffing levels and problems over service delivery since the 2009 partnership agreement,” says Unite regional officer Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe.

“There have been cases of people leaving as part of ‘natural wastage’ and either not being replaced – or replaced by those with lesser skills – this can’t be good for overall patient care.”

The ‘beginning of the slippery slope’ started in 2009 when an agreement on pathology services provision was reached between the trust and Serco.

Serco is currently at the centre of media reports alleging it has overcharged NHS hospitals millions of pounds.

The partnership was later joined by King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – and now operates under the name of Viapath.

Unite’s pathology members are now campaigning against plans by Viapath to transfer them from the NHS to Viapath in January. They fear their pay, and terms and conditions are at risk if this is allowed to happen.

“Since the trust’s recent announcement of its intention of transferring NHS pathology staff to Viapath, even more resignations have taken place,” reports Colenzo.

“Our members could earn much more in the private sector or by leaving and being re-hired as expensive locums in the NHS – but they are committed to the NHS ethos and see the latest Viapath plan as undermining that ethos.

In July staff lobbied the board members at Guy’s & St Thomas’ to get the Viapath proposal jettisoned – and UNITElive has learned management is now talking more positively to the trade unions on this issue.

But staff are just not accepting the advance of privatisation tentacles. On August 28, Unite’s pathology members voted unanimously to campaign against the plans to move their employment status from the NHS to Viapath.

“The NHS is being privatised right before our very eyes” added Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe.

“This is not just about our members’ pay and conditions, but is crucial about what sort of NHS this country wants – one that is dedicated to public service or one where shareholder profits of controversial outsourcing  giants, such as Serco, are paramount.”