Staff threaten strike over NHS job cuts

Staff at NHS Direct have warned that they may take strike action over plans to cut hundreds of jobs and close 12 call centres.

The 24-hour nurse-led telephone and internet advice service for England is attempting to save £15 million by cutting jobs and closing the call centres.

However, both Unison and the Royal College of Nursing have argued that the proposals lack "a solid evidence base" and that there was "no clear understanding as to how the service will operate in the future".

Both unions also warned that the plans could increase clinical risk in the service and put greater pressure on accident and emergency and other services such as GPs.

The proposals include plans for at least 573 redundancies and the closure of 12 NHS Direct centres, with a further 19 under review.

Dr Beverly Malone, RCN General Secretary, said: "This is a nurse-led success story, admired across the world, yet we could see it dismantled with little thought or planning. NHS Direct staff morale is at rock bottom and they feel understandably angry and let down by their employer.

"NHS Direct was created by this government to lead NHS reforms, but it is now being asked to make cost driven changes. This is another example of inconsistency in the reform agenda with little thought for the consequences, where patient and staff will suffer. We are calling on NHS Direct to work with us to find a longer term and thought through solution that avoids compulsory redundancies and does not compromise the quality of patient care."

Dave Prentis, Unison General Secretary, said: "This cost cutting exercise at NHS Direct could put lives at risk and staff are so angry at the prospect, unions are gearing up for industrial action. These proposals sacrifice quality for cost and the people who will suffer are the public in need of expert advice and reassurance. Hundreds of redundancies of staff and closure of call centres around England is not the way to make the service better. It is a recipe for disaster."

(KMcA/SP)