Plans to scrap specialist roles at Leicester’s hospitals that enabled patients to leave care and free up beds will put vulnerable people at risk and leave skilled staff in limbo, says UNISON today (Monday).
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is set to axe all discharge support assistant jobs in emergency and specialist medicine, stripping away vital experience and expertise, the union says.
UNISON says this is a backwards step that undervalues skilled staff, threatens safe and timely discharges, and puts the future of NHS workers at risk.
There must be an immediate pause to the plans, says the union, and full consultation with affected staff.
UNISON East Midlands regional organiser James Olner said: “This plan will damage patient care and leave dedicated staff paying the price for cost-cutting.
“It’s a slap in the face for loyal and experienced staff who’ve spent years building their careers in these vital discharge roles, helping patients get home safely and freeing up hospital beds.
“Now they’re being told their jobs won’t exist anymore.”
Notes to editors:
– University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust proposes to eliminate specialist discharge support roles. Staff would be redeployed into healthcare assistant roles, resulting in a pay cut for some workers.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
