Joint unions' statement in response to the NBS strategy review

As a result of a national staffside meeting on Monday 25th February 2008, it was voted to issue the following statement.

JOINT UNIONS’ STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE NBS STRATEGY REVIEW

The NBS Trade Unions receive with great caution the outcomes of the review and revision of the announced National Strategy. At this point we cannot accept the proposed wholesale closures of laboratories and with regard to the 240 job losses in Services to Donors, the staff side will not support any further reductions in frontline staff. We were given the assurance that supporting evidence by McKinseys would be made available following the review in support of the new and revised strategy. We believe that evidence should be made available as we still have grave reservations as to the ability of the proposals to deliver a high-quality service nationally.

We therefore continue to OPPOSE the NBS intention to withdraw some specialist service provision to the NHS, ensuing lab closures and reduction of staff numbers on the frontline of donor collection teams. We will support our local groups and branches who mount local campaigns in defence of service provision to patients and donors alike and in defence of their jobs.