Fears over cuts in staffing levels arising from the new South-West Acute Hospital being built near Enniskillen were raised by local activists from the Omagh & Fermanagh Health Branch of UNISON at a Presidential meeting Derry where they met Malcolm Cantello, the President of UNISON, the public service union. Unison members were joined by a number of prominent politicians.

Among the local team was Benny Cassidy, the Joint Branch Secretary, Omagh & Fermanagh who raised some of the major issues affecting local members.

In relation to the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme planned for the new hospitals, at Enniskillen and Omagh, he told Malcolm that workers in both hospitals affected were extremely worried about the Trust's plans to include support services within the privatisation process.

Earlier, Mr Cantello said his visit was opportune, given that Northern Ireland had achieved a new devolved government. He expressed the hope that the politicians would keep up the positive drive that he had recently witnessed through the media.

He was formally welcomed by Ann Donnelly, the Regional Convenor and Secretary of the Derry Education Branch.

Those present heard from the politicians who said that, all too often, workers within the public services were sometimes perceived by members of the public as fighting for public services because they are worried about themselves and jobs. But, in reality, those same workers were also part of the community they served and they were equally worried about community healthcare issues.

Benny Cassidy submitted that, although the public might get badly needed new facilities, there would be major cost implications.

"In several areas', he went on, " escalating PPP costs have diverted funds from other health services. My branch has fears that future PPP projects could influence health policy and eat up new money for the provision of care services'.

His concerns were shared by those present.

For its part, UNISON believes that PPP is a more costly way of providing public services than direct borrowing by the public sector.

"UNISON is also concerned', said a spokeswoman, "that transfer of staff to 'facilities-management' companies will lead to a deterioration in terms and conditions and that the public sector will lose control over assets and service provision.

"In essence, the real danger is that under PPP the future provision of public services will be determined by what the private consortium wants rather than what the public need".

Those attending were reminded that UNISON was not against new build facilities, but would fight bitterly against PPP, particularly where the staff are included as part of an outsourcing package.

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Photo in includes from L to R Benny Cassidy, Joint Branch Secretary UNISON, Mark Durkin, SDLP, Frank Duffy, Branch Safety officer, UNISON, Malcolm Cantello, President, UNISON and Ann Donnelly, Joint Regional Convenor UNISON.