Union-busting tactics by Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS trust put intensive care patients in danger, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

Intensive care nurses at Bassetlaw hospital have been taking industrial action over fire and rehire contract changes that will force them to rotate between Bassetlaw and Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

The nurses - who fear the transfers are one more step towards Bassetlaw hospital losing its ICU permanently through ‘decommissioning by stealth’ – have taken action short of strike through a ban on working on any ward or unit other than Bassetlaw ICU.

In response, the trust banned the nurses from work and is denying them pay. The nurses continued to attend and make themselves available to work, complying fully with their contracts. However, they were denied access to clinical areas and had to spend 12-hour shifts sat alone in a canteen.

Under the direct leadership of acting chief executive Zara Jones, the trust banned nurses from working, despite them not taking strike action. Bassetlaw ITU was then staffed by nurses sent from Doncaster. This caused safety issues at both hospitals.

On January 8, a critical care doctor from Doncaster Infirmary, who Unite is not naming, contacted Unite and informed the union that they had been told to discharge a patient early. The doctor said this was against medical advice and was done in order to reduce the number of patients on the intensive care unit.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Zara Jones is presiding over the worst case of union-busting Unite has ever seen in the NHS. The attempts to force the nurses to back down by banning them from their duties and withholding their pay and intimidating them, is abhorrent.

“This is a total dereliction of duty that put incredibly vulnerable patients at risk. The trust needs to stop its appalling behaviour and resolve the nurses’ concerns – Unite will not back down until that happens.”

The ban on working has had a serious impact on the nurses’ mental health, which is being exacerbated by the trust’s decision to deny them their wages.

The trust issued notices of dismissal to Bassetlaw ITU nurses on 22 December 2025. They intend to sack the nurses on 16 March 2026 and rehire them on the 17 March 2026 on less favourable terms and conditions.

As well as concerns that the forced rotations would lead to Bassetlaw’s ICU being run down, they would also leave the nurses facing overly long commutes before and after 13-hour shifts, with the risk of exhaustion putting them and their patients at risk.

Unite regional officer Chris Rawlinson said: “Prior to issuing the redundancy notices, the trust proposed a trial period instead of fire and rehire, which the nurses agreed to in good faith. However, the trust then reneged on its own offer and told Unite it preferred to fire and rehire the nurses.

“These are hardworking healthcare professionals who are dedicated to caring for the people of Bassetlaw. They are being treated horrendously and Unite will continue to fully support them in their fight to prevent the town’s ICU from being decommissioned by stealth.” 

ENDS

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org