09/09/2024 | Press releases

Strike action from facilities staff

Some of our facilities staff including porters, cleaners and catering staff will be striking on the following dates:

  • In a five-day period of industrial action from Tuesday morning (10 September) to Saturday night (14 September).
  • For 24 hours from 6am on Monday 16 September until 6am on Tuesday 17 September.
  • For 24-hours from 6am on Wednesday 18 September until 6am on Thursday 19 September.
  • For 24-hours from 6am on Friday 20 September until 6am on Saturday 21 September.

 

The strikes are planned to take place at Colchester Hospital and some of our community sites. They are not planned for Ipswich Hospital.

We are committed to keeping disruption to services to a minimum and our focus is on patient care and safety.

A screenshot of a porter's feet as they push along a hospital bed

Some of our facilities staff including porters, cleaners and catering staff will be striking at Colchester Hospital and some of our community sites.

 

Patients in affected hospitals may notice fewer facilities staff on our wards. Our nursing team, doctors, therapists and all other staff will continue to care for patients as usual.

 

If you have a hospital appointment please attend as planned.

No hot food will be served in Senses restaurant at Colchester Hospital for the duration of the strikes. Hot food will be available in the shops at the hospital main entrance.

The industrial action has been organised by the trade union UNISON. It’s about a decision by our Trust Board of Directors to test the market for potential external suppliers of some facilities services at our Trust. A final decision on this has not been made. It is due to be made in November.

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