NHS IT staff call for clarity over jobs

NHS IT staff are calling on the government to provide more details about how their jobs will be affected by the appointment of suppliers for the £2.3bn National Programme.

Health service employees may be transferred to work for the private sector 'Local Service Providers' (LSPs) implementing the five-year plan in their area, according to the technical specification for the Integrated Care Records Service (ICRS) at the heart of the programme.

'LSPs may be required to accept into their employment existing NHS or third party supplier staff engaged in the support of legacy systems and provision of local infrastructure services,' says the document leaked to Computing.

Transfers would be covered by Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) legislation, to ensure staff rights are appropriately protected.

Tony Eardley, chairman of Assist, the professional body for NHS IT staff, says the Department of Health (DoH) needs to clarify the relationship between new suppliers and existing employees.

'There has been some concern raised about the potential for staff to be transferred out of the NHS and we need evidence of proper work being done about how LSPs will work alongside existing IT teams,' he said.

'We understand that details will emerge over the coming months, but we need more clarity quickly because it is a sensitive issue. It will cause people some concern and may have a detrimental effect on morale.'

Some in the NHS say the future of IT staff is a critical consideration.

'The only really sensitive issue in the ICRS specification is about personnel. Will all IT staff be outsourced to the private sector?' said one insider.

'The health service is run on good will and the public sector ethos - that's why the staff put in the hours.'

A DoH spokesman said: 'The specification is a work in progress. It covers a range of issues, and more detailed planning and consultation is ongoing.'