Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) has dropped its plans to outsource staff to a wholly-owned subsidiary.
WWL trust decided to not pursue the outsourcing of 900 members of staff to its wholly-owned subsidiary WWL Solutions after Wigan council offered a financial solution ‘acceptable to all parties’.
The move comes after 562 members of staff went on a five-day strike last week to protest against the trust’s decision to resort to outsourcing.
The trust said in a statement that the offer, backed financially by the council, will enable investment in transforming services and generate future savings.
WWL trust chairman Robert Armstrong said: ‘I’m delighted that Wigan council has been able to find a funding option that means we can withdraw our plan to create a wholly owned subsidiary.
‘WWL has only ever wanted to protect the financial stability of the trust in order to preserve jobs and deliver high quality patient care.
‘This is great partnership working in Wigan and the new way forward, of CCG and council working with the hospital and the community, delivers that stability.’
Commenting on the decision, UNISON North West regional secretary Kevan Nelson said: ‘UNISON welcomes the decision to withdraw the proposed outsourcing of estates and facilities to WWL Solutions and thanks Wigan council for its timely intervention.
‘The hard working and loyal staff have demonstrated how much they value their employment in the NHS.’
