A Lanarkshire MSP has welcomed the news that support services at Wishaw General will now be provided in-house.
Earlier this week, NHS Lanarkshire announced it had reached an agreement in principle with the private financial initiative provider, Summit Healthcare Limited, and the current support service contractor, Serco.
Labour’s Central Scotland list MSP Monica Lennon said she was pleased that issue has been settled after a long campaign from unions.
“The transfer of 400 Serco staff to NHS Lanarkshire employment is very welcome news indeed,” she told Lanarkshire Live.
“The move will be a real boost for the staff who deliver these essential services, and who I am sure will now be proud to work for our NHS.
“Private contracts are simply not good value for money, and I hope the transfer, which comes after a great campaign from Lanarkshire Health UNISON Branch, will lead to similar progress at the Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride in the near future. Bringing jobs in-house is good for patients and workers.”
The affected services are catering, cleaning, portering, patient laundry, switchboard and security.
They will transfer from Serco to NHS Lanarkshire later this year, in return for an agreed level of compensation.
Building maintenance will continue to be provided by Serco.
Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire director of planning, property and performance, said: “We are delighted to announce that these services will be provided by an in-house team at Wishaw General.
“This is part of our long-term strategic aim and NHS Lanarkshire’s board commitment to bring staff providing these service back in-house as part of our strategic aim.
“To have these services delivered by directly employed staff is in line with the Scottish Government policy since 2008 to seek to provide services in-house where the opportunity exists to do so.
“NHS Lanarkshire would like stress that this transfer of responsibility is not a reflection on the quality of the patient-focused service provided by Serco over the past 22 years and, in particular, the last two years of the pandemic and wish to thank both Summit and Serco for their active participation in this process.”
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