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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| NHS national strike set to start | NHS national strike set to start |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The first national strike in the National Health Service for 18 years is set to get under way in England. | The first national strike in the National Health Service for 18 years is set to get under way in England. |
| The 24-hour walkout by hundreds of NHS Logistics staff from 2200 BST on Thursday is over the sell-off of the agency to German delivery firm DHL. | The 24-hour walkout by hundreds of NHS Logistics staff from 2200 BST on Thursday is over the sell-off of the agency to German delivery firm DHL. |
| There are fears the strike could leave hospitals short of equipment, but the government insists the effects will be minimal. | There are fears the strike could leave hospitals short of equipment, but the government insists the effects will be minimal. |
| A second strike is due on 26 September with more action to follow. | A second strike is due on 26 September with more action to follow. |
| Limited space | Limited space |
| About 900 staff were balloted by Unison and of the 66% who voted, 74% backed a strike. | About 900 staff were balloted by Unison and of the 66% who voted, 74% backed a strike. |
| NHS Logistics supplies about 50,000 lines of products, including bedpans, latex gloves, syringes, bandages, medical equipment and food. | NHS Logistics supplies about 50,000 lines of products, including bedpans, latex gloves, syringes, bandages, medical equipment and food. |
| 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. |
| The workers, who supply hospitals and GP surgeries in England, are based at distribution centres at Alfreton in Derbyshire, Runcorn in Cheshire, Normanton in West Yorkshire, Maidstone in Kent and Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. | The workers, who supply hospitals and GP surgeries in England, are based at distribution centres at Alfreton in Derbyshire, Runcorn in Cheshire, Normanton in West Yorkshire, Maidstone in Kent and Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. |
| Emergency plans | Emergency plans |
| Public service union Unison said there was no justification for privatising the agency and has issued proceedings for a judicial review of the sell-off this month. | Public service union Unison said there was no justification for privatising the agency and has issued proceedings for a judicial review of the sell-off this month. |
| Unison's head of health Karen Jennings 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." | Unison's head of health Karen Jennings 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." |
| The government said the deal, which comes into force at the start of October, will help save £1bn over 10 years. | The government said the deal, which comes into force at the start of October, will help save £1bn over 10 years. |
| The union has agreed emergency plans to cover life-saving equipment during the strike. | The union has agreed emergency plans to cover life-saving equipment during the strike. |
| The Department of Health said the action is not expected to cause significant disruption to NHS operations. | The Department of Health said the action is not expected to cause significant disruption to NHS operations. |
| Health Minister Andy Burnham said he expected the strikes would have minimal disruption to hospitals and said patients should not be unduly worried. | |
| He added: "We will keep an extremely close eye on the situation." | |
| The most recent major health service strike was when midwives were involved in a pay dispute in 1988. | The most recent major health service strike was when midwives were involved in a pay dispute in 1988. |