Statement from Tooting Unite (Amicus Section)

This statement was issued after being agreed at a Unite (Amicus Section) meeting held at Tooting on 18th April 2008. The Unite (T&G Section) Branch Chair (David Linsey) was present at the meeting and offered the support of the members in donor services.

We do not believe that the case for the closure of Tooting NBS Processing & Testing departments has been sufficiently proven.

After examining the little data that has been shown to us, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that the revised plans ensure that the patients we serve in this most densely populated region of the country, will continue to receive a quality and timely service, neither can the board meet the rigorous timescales proposed. Furthermore, we have no confidence in the entire basis upon which the case for closure has been made.

Although we are appalled that technical workers will lose their jobs as a result of these plans and that their expertise will be lost to the nation, our principal concern is for the health of the patients we serve. We call on MPs locally and nationally, to question the process the NHSBT board wants to undertake before work begins on the closures, and to ensure beyond doubt on our behalf that their constituents will not suffer as a result.