Plans to move a blood service from Tooting have been condemned by a union.
Tooting National Blood Service, which supplies rare blood to south London, is due to be transferred to centres in north London and Bristol from 2010.
Union Unite has called on the National Health Service to reverse the decision and vowed to lobby MPs and councillors in the area.
The union's regional officer, Peter Storey, has warned that patients' lives could be put at risk because of longer travelling times.
He said: "Anyone familiar with the M25 or travelling through central London will know that you cannot possibly rely on journey times, particularly during rush hour. If the blood service has to call on emergency helicopters then any cost reduction will be cancelled out by the increased transport costs."
"Anyone familiar with the M25 or travelling through central London will know that you cannot possibly rely on journey times, particularly during rush hour."
Peter Storey
If the closure of the Tooting site goes ahead then around 80 to 90 skilled laboratory professionals and assistants will lose their jobs.
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"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," Mr Storey added.
The National Blood Service's managing director Clive Ronaldson denied that patient care will be affected by the move and the changes would make the service more productive.
He also pointed out that staff cuts would mostly be made through non-compulsory means such as voluntary redundancy.
Posted by: Dr. Acula, Tooting Grave-ney on 2:38am Wed 21 May 08
I'll have to pop in for a farewell pint before it closes...
Very good point Peter Storey makes about costs of transporting the supplies negating cost benefits, which I'd assume is the main aim of the move. But then, maths never has been the NHS's strong point.
I'll have to pop in for a farewell pint before it closes...
Very good point Peter Storey makes about costs of transporting the supplies negating cost benefits, which I'd assume is the main aim of the move. But then, maths never has been the NHS's strong point.
Posted by: Old Dragon, Battersea on 2:50pm Fri 23 May 08
Voluntary redundancy? The writers of this propoganda are kidding nobody - especially those employed at St Georges whose jobs are going to be lost. Apply for another job within the system then if you are turned down you aren't being made redundant, you are merely unsuccessful in obtaining that post, they can offer you a position up to two bands lower (approximately a £10k pa loss)which has impact on final salary pension as well as your present day life - if you chose to refuse these offers you are just out of a job - no redundancy for you! Not even with some 25 - 30 years service at the hospital will you get a penny.
Well done those planners.
Voluntary redundancy? The writers of this propoganda are kidding nobody - especially those employed at St Georges whose jobs are going to be lost. Apply for another job within the system then if you are turned down you aren't being made redundant, you are merely unsuccessful in obtaining that post, they can offer you a position up to two bands lower (approximately a £10k pa loss)which has impact on final salary pension as well as your present day life - if you chose to refuse these offers you are just out of a job - no redundancy for you! Not even with some 25 - 30 years service at the hospital will you get a penny.
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