NHS Lanarkshire has made arrangements to provide a range of contracted support services at University Hospital Wishaw in-house from the beginning of May 2023.
NHS Lanarkshire is delighted to confirm that they have reached an agreement with Summit Healthcare Limited and the current support service contractor Serco Group PLC. An agreement in principal had initially been reached last year.
The affected services are catering, cleaning, portering, patient laundry, switchboard and security. They will transfer from Serco to NHS Lanarkshire in return for an agreed level of compensation.
Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire director of planning, property and performance, said: “We are delighted to announce that these services will be provided by an in-house team at University Hospital Wishaw from the start of May.
“This is part of our long-term strategic aim and NHS Lanarkshire’s board commitment to bring staff providing these services back in-house as part of our strategic aim. To have these services delivered by directly employed staff is in line with the Scottish Government policy since 2008 to seek to provide services in-house where the opportunity exists to do so.
“The approximately 400 existing staff who deliver these essential support services will transfer under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) to direct employment with NHS Lanarkshire.
“Building maintenance will continue to be provided by Serco.
“NHS Lanarkshire, Summit and Serco have worked through the legal and operational process of implementing the TUPE transfer to ensure that the employment rights of all staff affected are protected.
“Briefing sessions have taken place with staff affected and their trade union representatives.
“NHS Lanarkshire would like stress that this transfer of responsibility is not a reflection on the quality of the patient-focused service provided by Serco over the past 24 years and, in particular, the last three years of the pandemic and wish to thank both Summit and Serco for their active participation in this process.”
Lilian Macer, NHS Lanarkshire employee director, said: “We had a strong desire to see these services provided by an in-house team. Ensuring these services are delivered by directly employed staff is a really positive move.
“I fully support the strategic direction which seeks to promote well-being and tackle inequalities for our local population, the staff, as well as delivering the very best healthcare possible through an integrated NHS team.”
Tony McLaughlin, Scotland director for Serco’s health business, said:
“We are immensely proud over the last 24 years to have provided the soft FM services at University Hospital Wishaw. Over the last nine months, since this change was first announced, we have worked hard to ensure the transfer of these services is as smooth as possible.
“I would like to thank Serco colleagues who are transferring and wish them good luck with their future careers. We also look forward to continue providing the building maintenance services at the hospital and to continue supporting NHS Lanarkshire.”
Health Secretary Michael Matheson added:
“I am pleased that, following funding support from the Scottish Government, NHS Lanarkshire were able to finalise this buyout and 400 staff, delivering essential support services, will transfer over to NHS Lanarkshire at the beginning of May.”
