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| Union names date for NHS strike | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The first national strike in the health service for 18 years is to go ahead next Thursday. | The first national strike in the health service for 18 years is to go ahead next Thursday. |
| The health service union Unison announced hundreds of workers in the agency NHS Logistics will walk out for 24 hours. | The health service union Unison announced hundreds of workers in the agency NHS Logistics will walk out for 24 hours. |
| The protest, over the sell-off of the network to German firm DHL, could lead to English hospitals running short of vital equipment. | The protest, over the sell-off of the network to German firm DHL, could lead to English hospitals running short of vital equipment. |
| But the government said it believed any impact would be limited. | But the government said it believed any impact would be limited. |
| A second 24-hour strike is also planned, the date of which will be announced early next week. | A second 24-hour strike is also planned, the date of which will be announced early next week. |
| Further industrial action will follow. | Further industrial action will follow. |
| Around 900 staff were balloted by Unison and of the 66% who voted, 74% backed a strike. | Around 900 staff were balloted by Unison and of the 66% who voted, 74% backed a strike. |
| There can be absolutely no justification for privatising this service Karen JenningsUnison | |
| Hospitals have to order equipment three days ahead and have limited space to store stockpiles. | Hospitals have to order equipment three days ahead and have limited space to store stockpiles. |
| NHS Logistics supplies 48,000 lines of products, including bedpans, latex gloves, syringes, bandages, medical equipment and food. | NHS Logistics supplies 48,000 lines of products, including bedpans, latex gloves, syringes, bandages, medical equipment and food. |
| The new contract kicks in on October 1, so the industrial action is likely to take place in the last week of September. | The new contract kicks in on October 1, so the industrial action is likely to take place in the last week of September. |
| The strike decision was taken at a meeting held on Friday afternoon in Alfreton, Derbyshire - the site of one of the agency's five depots. | The strike decision was taken at a meeting held on Friday afternoon in Alfreton, Derbyshire - the site of one of the agency's five depots. |
| Karen Jennings, Unison's Head of Health, said: "Our members have a very strong sense of loyalty to the NHS and have worked hard to make NHS Logistics a highly-competitive, innovative service. | Karen Jennings, Unison's Head of Health, said: "Our members have a very strong sense of loyalty to the NHS and have worked hard to make NHS Logistics a highly-competitive, innovative service. |
| "Last year it delivered savings to NHS trusts of £2.8 million that can be ploughed back into front-line services. | |
| "NHS Logistics has a fantastic track record on innovation and awards for efficiency. There can be absolutely no justification for privatising this service." | |
| She said Unison also had proceedings issued for a judicial review this month. | She said Unison also had proceedings issued for a judicial review this month. |
| "We're taking every avenue, every process possible to try and stop what we think is a very destructive move by this government." | "We're taking every avenue, every process possible to try and stop what we think is a very destructive move by this government." |
| The government believes the DHL deal will help save £1bn over 10 years. | The government believes the DHL deal will help save £1bn over 10 years. |
| But a Unison spokeswoman said it was opposing the move as it was another sign of "creeping NHS privatisation". | But a Unison spokeswoman said it was opposing the move as it was another sign of "creeping NHS privatisation". |
| "There is no justification for this at all - it will lead to a poorer service. The government's decision to privatise it is driven by pure dogma," she said. | "There is no justification for this at all - it will lead to a poorer service. The government's decision to privatise it is driven by pure dogma," she said. |
| The union said it expected any action to hit the supply of goods to hospitals, but added it had agreed emergency plans to cover life-saving equipment. | The union said it expected any action to hit the supply of goods to hospitals, but added it had agreed emergency plans to cover life-saving equipment. |
| The Department of Health said most hospitals also had their own supply and delivery arrangements and would be able to "cope with demand". | The Department of Health said most hospitals also had their own supply and delivery arrangements and would be able to "cope with demand". |