Union bosses have warned proposals that could see private companies run hospital services is “the beginning of privatisation by stealth”.

East Sussex Healthcare Trust has announced plans for “market testing” of all its support services and some clinical services to look into whether private companies could perform the tasks more efficiently.

Unions have warned that pathology, pharmacy and imaging departments as well as so-called “soft” services such as catering and cleaning could be the first departments handed over to private firms.

The GMB has warned that the proposals would affect hundreds of jobs and would involve contracts worth millions of pounds.

The trust, which is responsible for the Conquest Hospital in Bexhill and Eastbourne District General Hospital, agreed at a meeting this week to develop the market testing strategy.

Outsourcing expert Capita has been called in by the trust to draw up a report to analyse the efficiency of the trust’s supply services.

The firm is expected to report back to the trust in September.

"Disgraceful"

GMB organiser Gary Palmer said the East Sussex Healthcare Trust contracts would be even bigger than Sodexo’s £15 million a year deal with Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.

He said East Sussex should learn the lessons from Brighton and Sussex.

Strike action was narrowly averted in January over proposals to cut Sodexo jobs and changes to working hours while staff went weeks without receiving the correct pay.

He added: “This is no more than the beginning of privatisation by stealth by chief executive Darren Grayson and an expensive one at that as no doubt the trust will look to engage external consultants to carry out this disgraceful process.

“The smoke and mirrors approach of market testing won’t fool anyone, nor will Mr Grayson convince us that the service will improve in anyway shape or form by it being placed into private hands.

"You are not going to get interest from private companies unless there is profit to be made and private firms right now are looking at the NHS and seeing a real chance to profit.”

A trust spokesman said: “The trust, like all NHS organisations, needs to be as efficient as possible to ensure it provides best value for money for the taxpayer.

“Capita will produce a report for the trust board to consider in September in relation to what services the trust should consider market testing after taking into account the quality, performance and efficiency requirements.

“As yet no decisions have been made.”