Trust job fears are dismissed

A REVIEW of Pennine Acute Trust’s radiology services involving a private company has sparked job fears among staff.

They spoke out about their worries after the move was revealed in an e-mail.

But a spokesman for the trust — which runs four hospitals, including the Royal Oldham — said the fears were unfounded.

He said: “We have no idea why anonymous members of staff would have this view.”

The trust’s clinical director of radiology, Dr Mahesh Kumar, circulated the e-mail outlining the move.

It said the trust had invited Euromedic UK, which is part of a European healthcare company, to work with it on a full examination of the provision and delivery of radiology services within the trust.

The company specialises in imaging, dialysis, pathology and oncology, and is set to identify areas where working in partnership with the trust may be of “mutual benefit”.

Mr Mahesh said in his e-mail: “At this stage the contacts are purely exploratory, but they could lead to closer partnership working in the future.”

The trust spokesman said: “The briefing e-mail was sent round to ensure that staff were generally aware of this work precisely so that we could avoid rumours.”

He said any members of staff with questions should contact the team leading the work, who are identified in the e-mail.

He added: “Basically, Euromedic UK offered to give us a free review, which will examine issues such as capacity for treating patients and future technology needs.

“The end report will be discussed by the trust board and allow us to make a judgement in relation to investment in the service, and other potential improvements.

“Naturally, we’ll keep staff fully up to date as this project progresses.