Unite warns health trusts are considering cuts targeting low paid workers who are vital to keep the NHS working

Unite, which represents more than 4,000 health and social care workers in Northern Ireland, has demanded the Stormont executive agree a budget to sustain the NHS. The absence of a budget has left regional health trusts considering scything cuts which will be concentrated on non-clinical areas and staff.

Low paid staff including : porters, cleaners, catering staff, triage, mental health and care workers, play a vital role in ensuring the ability of the NHS to function. Unite is warning focussing cuts or outsourcing in these sectors will undermine the NHS from within.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Stormont’s failure to set a budget, is resulting in health trusts planning severe cuts to NHS services. Our members will not be the collateral damage for Stormont’s failings.”

Unite regional officer Brenda Stevenson said, “Drastic cuts to catering or cleaners poses obvious concerns for the health and wellbeing of staff and patients. To have a healthy NHS, you need to have healthy workers.

“Unite is calling on all health trusts to refuse to bring forward any cuts due to the absence of a budget from Stormont. We need to make sure the funds needed to maintain our NHS are provided.”

Unite representatives will join with those from the other health unions on Tuesday in a meeting with the new minister for health Robbie Butler.

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For further information or to arrange an interview contact Donal O'Cofaigh, Unite campaigns, communications and press (NI), tel. 07810 157926.