Staff at a Hove hospital are considering strike action after bosses stonewalled their union reps.
Almost two thirds of GMB members working at the Montefiore Hospital in Montefiore Road said they had taken time off due to work-related stress when surveyed by the union
Almost three quarters said they were too scared to raise a grievance due to fear of retaliation.
The hospital is run by Spire Healthcare, which the GMB claims makes £1.75m of clear profit every week.
It says Spire has failed to respond to union approaches for talks.
One survey respondent said they were asked to leave their employment after taking two days off sick and many reported that racism, sexual discrimination and other bullying are on the rise.
Oliver Cruikshank, GMB Regional Organiser said: “From the very concerning results of our survey, it is clear staff at the Montefiore feel vulnerable when they have to take time off.
“Many are reporting that they feel pressured to come to work when sick – either due to management pressure or because they cannot afford to drop down to Statutory Sick Pay – which causes obvious cross-contamination risks for patients and other staff.
“A company which makes one and three quarter million pounds of clear profit every week can afford to spend a little more on their workforce, who keep the hospital running smoothly and safely.
“If Spire management do not as a bare minimum agree to meet with us to discuss these survey findings, we will not hesitate to ballot our members for industrial action.
“Our members do not want to take action and risk shutting the hospital down, but are prepared to issue a cry for help that things cannot carry on the way they are.”
Much of those fat profits are taken from “our” NHS i.e. public funding. Don’t see much of the often vaunted “trickle down”, the excellent staff group can vouch for that!
This is what privatised health care looks like, think about that if you are tempted to vote Reform or Tory
I can not praise the staff and service at the hospital highly enough. I have had many treatments there due to ongoing back issues after major surgery. They are always friendly, polite and cheerful, the appointments are always on time and efficient, I have no issues with the NHS and the wonderful staff but it would be great if the NHS could achieve the level of excellence that the Montefiore manage to. Communication is one key to a satisfied workforce so let’s hope the situation is resolved. Chris G.
I am a born & bred Brightonian, now living in France, here you have to take out medical insurance, and most of the Doctors/clinics & hospitals are private, you can get a doctor’s appointment within a couple of days, an appointment with a specialist in a couple of weeks, hospitals/clinics are spotlessly clean, blood test are carried out at your home, by a nurse and the results within a few days, sent to your email address and to your Doctor, we pay for a family of four, approximately€25 a month, for opticians, dentist, medicines, transport by ambulance if needed, and all treatments, I think this is the way forward for the UK, the country can no longer afford to provide free healthcare.