Some of our facilities staff including porters, cleaners and catering staff will be striking on the following dates:
- a 24-hour strike from 6am on Saturday 19 October to 6am on Sunday 20 October
- a 48-hour strike from 6am on Monday 21 October to 6am on Wednesday 23 October
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.
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.
Senses restaurant at Colchester Hospital is closed until Wednesday. Hot food is available in the shops at the hospital main entrance.
Media statement
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.
The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust wishes to reiterate that no final decision has yet been made as to how our soft facilities services at Colchester Hospital and community sites will be provided in the future. A business case will be considered at the Trust Board meeting on 21 November this year, with a summary of the decision to be published shortly thereafter.
It is the Trust’s responsibility and overriding priority to deliver the best possible care and outcomes for patients in a safe environment and at the best value for money for taxpayers.
At a time when the local NHS is under significant and mounting pressure – and while we are still in discussion with trades union representatives and other stakeholders – it is difficult to see how a further period of industrial action will benefit local patients and their families.
As previously, we are working to ensure that cover is in place across the range of services affected while some of our soft facilities staff take part in lawful industrial action.
Back to top