In Depth back to UNI In Depth home page 08/24/2004 Hospitals outsource typing to India (23/8/04) Medical secretaries are concerned that an Indian-based company being used by eight London hospitals to type letters for consultants and medical staff is a threat to their jobs. UNISON has called for a full review of the typing service, Omnimedical, and claims there has been no discussion on its impact. The union said the hospitals have failed to consult on agreed performance and qualities standards. It has also demanded that the hospitals provide information on the pay and conditions of the staff in India who provide the service. Greater London UNISON regional officer Michael Walker said that medical secretaries remain extremely concerned about the threat to their jobs. "There is no doubt that staff in India are paid a mere pittance in comparison with British staff. This proposal is about wage cutting here by effectively using slave labour in India. The proposal by the NHS to exploit staff in India is disgraceful," he said. "UNISON is calling for the immediate withdrawal of this proposal and working arrangement, and expects the trust to enter into meaningful discussions to end this practice." UNISON rep Jillian Green, a medical secretary at Mayday Hospital in Croydon, stressed the importance of the close working relationship between medical secretaries and clinical staff. "We would be very concerned at any outsourcing that undermined that special relationship. "It is also vital that the relationship between the patient and the medical secretary acting for the hospital consultant is maintained to ensure continuity." http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=1637 ______________________ Union Network International http://www.union-network.org - contact@union-network.org