Unions Welcome Rethink of Blood Service Cuts

Unions representing NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) workers have today welcomed the board's decision to think again proposals to cut 600 jobs and close seven* sites. The NHSBT board is asking interim MD, Clive Ronaldson, to carry out an overarching review of the proposed reconfiguration strategy.

Bill Campbell, Staff Side Secretary and UNISON's senior national officer for the NHSBT, said:

"The unions have put forward well researched and robust arguments why the current proposals to cut jobs and close centres should not go ahead,
This review makes good sense and will give stakeholders, including the
regulator, Department of Health, Trusts, staff and unions a fresh
opportunity to make their views known and influence the eventual outcome.

"Our prime concern is to ensure that any changes deliver a high quality
blood service and will not put lives at risk."

Staff Side Chair Owen Granfield from Unite Amicus said:

"The Board needs to look again at the impact of their proposals on the
service, environment and problems surrounding economies of scale.

"Building at Filton will still go ahead, but this new over arching review
is a positive step towards finding or long-term strategic solutions.

"We will be working jointly with the management team to find and implement
best practice at Filton to enable it to become a beacon of excellence."

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