24 October 2005
Amicus is demanding the reinstatement of one of its members suspended by Leeds Mental Health Trust. The union says it believes that two leading members of staff, who are both members of Amicus, are being victimised because they have raised concerns about problems concerning the design and building standards of three PFI hospitals built by Leeds Mental Health Trust.
The union says that the two members of staff's suspension coincided with their giving evidence to a scrutiny committee of Leeds City Council over alleged shortfalls in design and building standards of trust hospitals.
One Amicus member of staff suspended prior to giving evidence at the committee on grounds of alleged mental ill health has been informed by letter today that he will be returned to normal duties after advice from occupational health confirming that he is fit for duty.
The remaining member of staff suspended following his giving evidence to the Council's scrutiny committee on grounds of his alleged conduct has his 'investigation' meeting with the trust next week.
The Council's investigation may lead to a full public inquiry into alleged failures in building standards for the Becklin, Mount and Newsam hospitals in Leeds which cost £47 million to build.
Amicus Regional Officer, Terry Cunliffe, said: "Our members who have raised justifiable concerns about the safety of patients and staff at the hospitals because of numerous design and building faults are being scapegoated by the Trust for telling the truth.
"You would imagine that the Trust's primary concern would be health and safety but they seem intent on victimising our members instead.
"One of our members has had his mental health questioned for raising these problems and has now been fully vindicated. His colleague's conduct is now being questioned for his giving critical evidence at the council hearing.
"Our union is clear that nothing other than these two members full reinstatement and a clearing of their good names by the Trust is acceptable."
Concerns about the safety and fire standards at the three hospitals have been substantiated through an independent survey by NHS Estates. Members of Leeds City Council have also backed calls for a public inquiry.
