East London health workers to ballot for winter strikes over plans to axe 330 jobs

ELFT

Headquarters of the Newham Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, which is run by the East London NHS Foundation Trust.

More than 500 mental health nurses, psychologists and support staff could walk out this winter over a £25m cuts plan that Unite says puts patient safety “in the firing line”.

Health workers in east London are to vote on strike action in a dispute with the East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) over plans to axe more than 330 posts as part of a £25m cuts plan.

More than 500 staff who work in roles across ELFT including mental health nurses, psychologists, health care assistants and administrative workers are being balloted over what the union Unite described as “swingeing cuts that would decimate services and put public health at risk”.

According to a finance report released on 3 June, the trust plans to cut child and adolescent mental health services, adult psychology, community health services and other services patients rely upon.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a shameful plan that will put patient safety in the firing line and our members’ jobs at risk. Unite will not stand for such behaviour and Unite is taking immediate action to ensure that these cuts never come to fruition.”

The ballot for industrial action runs until 9 November. If successful, widespread strike action could take place throughout this winter. The ballot is also over the removal of a Unite branch secretary in what Unite says was an act of trade union victimisation, a dispute over the care navigator position and the wider issue of low NHS pay.

Unite regional officer Gary Boodhna added: “Over the past two years, ELFT has cut nearly £70m from frontline services. Further cuts can only harm staff and patients. Now is the time to stand up for our NHS and the life-saving services it provides.

“On the frontline we are seeing record levels of staff burnout. We cannot meet ever-increasing demand with ever-dwindling resources. The trust needs to change course, stop the cuts and give us the investment we need to provide a comprehensive health service.”

East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) provides mental health, community health, primary care and some specialist services across east London, as well as parts of Bedfordshire and Luton.

Left Field · Contributor