Biomedical scientists in Blackburn and Burnley achieve aims in industrial dispute 

Members of the Unite, the UK’s leading union, working in the Blood Sciences Department at the East Lancashire Hospital Trust (ELHT) are celebrating a victory in their campaign to restore safe staffing levels that led them to threaten strikes earlier this year.

Biomedical scientists at two hospitals (in Blackburn and Burnley) have been escalating their dispute with the ELHT since November last year. Having been promised an increase in staffing which had failed to materialise, they balloted for strike action to demonstrate their frustration to the trust.

Staff numbers in the unit, which provides blood sample analysis and blood products for the entire hospital and wider GP services in East Lancashire, had dwindled over two decades. Meanwhile, blood sample work had increased every year leading to unsafe conditions that threatened patient safety.

Following their campaign, staff have now received the following commitments following an in depth review around safe staffing numbers from the ELHT:

·       Two new managerial posts (already recruited to) including one for training and one for looking after specimen reception (Both NHS band 7 posts). 

·       Across blood sciences there has been approval for seven new medical laboratory assistants (Band 3 posts), 14 associate practitioner posts (Band 4) and a further two specialist biomedical scientist posts (Band 6). Collectively an increase of about 60-70 per cent of full-time equivalents. 

Staff are also going to receive an uplift of pay of £3,000 pro rata, additional pay of £7.50 per hour for doing overtime and have received guarantees for protected training and development time for all staffing grades. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is a superb win for our members in ELHT and shows the true power of the union movement. Not only do we campaign and win on pay but our fight to ensure safe staffing levels throughout the NHS for the benefit of both our members and patients is proving that together we are more powerful. 

"Unite will continue to campaign across the NHS to make sure our staff are valued and protected under any government. Because of the actions of our members and Unite, the general public now has a safer service. "

Unite regional officer Imran Akram added: "I'm delighted for our members in Blackburn and Burnley who have fought long and hard for the NHS trust to recognise the issues within the blood sciences department and the dangers to both our members and to the public. We have now received commitments for increased numbers of staff and the time and opportunity for them to continue their professional development. I would encourage staff across the NHS to follow their example to achieve their aims and improve safety." 


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For media enquiries only, please contact Unite senior communications adviser David Carnell on 07718 666592 or email david.carnell@unitetheunion.org