The decision on whether to privatise cleaners, porters, housekeepers and security roles at the Ipswich and Colchester hospitals trust has been pushed back to December. East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) has outlined its aim to outsource the jobs of cleaners, porters, housekeepers and security staff working in its hospitals - a move which could affect more than 4,000 workers. The decision was originally meant to take place during a public board meeting on Thursday - however, the trust has decided to push this back.
ESNEFT will now decide on privatising these services during a private meeting of board members on Thursday, December 5. A spokesman for ESNEFT said: “The trust is following due process in order to reach a decision as to how our soft facilities services will be provided in future, in line with the Board’s decision in April 2024 to test the market and invite tenders from potential suppliers." ESNEFT wants to outsource services at Colchester Hospital and community sites such as Aldeburgh and Felixstowe hospitals and the rehabilitation clinic at Bluebird Lodge in Ipswich.
Services at Ipswich Hospital are already outsourced to private company OCS , although its contract is due to come to an end..