IT workers on strike in NHS Logistics dispute

The NHS Logistics strike today is set to include at least 500 helpdesk staff who are crucial to getting orders sent quickly, UNISON has told E-Health Insider.

The government intends to outsource NHS Logistics and part of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency to parcel couriers DHL in a deal worth £3.7 billion a year, a move which has prompted NHS staff to vote for the industrial action.

NHS Logistics supplies around 50,000 lines of products to trusts around the country and uses a huge team of IT staff to deal with processing online orders, and providing e-information to clients.

The supplier also has a team devoted to e-billing and runs a large website support & customer care helpdesk to provide support to medical staff.

A spokesperson from UNISON told EHI: “Important orders such as hand gels, bed pans and syringes will be delayed in getting to the hospitals. Without staff to process orders quickly and pass on to the courier team, hospitals could run out of vital equipment.

“The loss of the helpdesk could also be crucial if any medical staff need advice on equipment they are using. The role technology plays in the NHS is very important nowadays and the NHS Logistics team are there to provide on-the-spot care and advice.”

At present hospitals have to order equipment three days ahead and have limited space to store stock.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health said: “The majority of hospitals have their own local supply and delivery arrangements. The impact of a one day action is not expected to cause significant disruption to NHS operations.

“A contingency planning group has been formed. All distribution centre controllers have been instructed to maintain a full staff complement at all times and to keep in place temporary staff…so that we can respond to customer demand.”

A letter has been sent to all trusts to advise them of steps they can take for further support and UNISON insist that emergency plans to cover life-saving equipment are in place.

A further strike has been planned for 26 September, coinciding with the health debate at the Labour party’s summer conference in Manchester.