THE Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has raised concerns over the creation of ‘wholly owned subsidiary’ companies by NHS trusts in the district. 

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital, is looking to set up a subsidiary company and one is being established by the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

It means the management and maintenance of hospital estates and facilities - and the staff that provide these services - are moved from the NHS into the new companies. The RCN says any new staff taken on may not be employed on NHS terms and conditions, or guaranteed an NHS pension.

Glenn Turp, Regional Director for the RCN in Yorkshire and the Humber region said the RCN is "worried" by moves to create such companies.

He said: “Whilst our members aren’t directly affected, we fully understand why other unions may decide to ballot their members over the issue.

"Staff must be fully consulted and involved in any decision and trusts should make public full details of any proposed variations from Agenda for Change, the NHS national pay terms and conditions, for new staff.

“These proposals put short-term financial gain before services and staff. Inevitably they will lead to a further fragmentation of local NHS services and to a decline of service standards as well as a potential increase in service costs over the long term."

He added the RCN will be "watching the situation closely". 

In January, the plans were branded as "creeping privatisation" by MPs and workers' union Unison.

At the time, a spokesperson for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said that initial briefings had been held with staff and trade unions were invited to present members' views at a board session. 

They added that they were committed to full engagement with staff, with patient needs being at the forefront of decision making.