NHS hospital bosses have taken back control of cleaning, catering and portering services.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust has today (tues) formally taken over the contract previously held by private firm Sodexo.

The 650 workers previously employed by the firm have now transferred to the NHS.

Sodexo was awarded a £15 million a year contract to provide the services at the trust’s hospitals in December 2012.

However, it has been beset with problems including not giving staff their proper wages for four weeks over Christmas and the threat of industrial action over a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

The GMB had called for members to be paid at least the living wage, which would bring Sodexo workers into line with other NHS workers at the hospital, whose pay and conditions are negotiated through the national Agenda for Change (AfC) scheme.

The union eventually accepted an offer from Sodexo which mirrors AfC and provides better shift and sick pay rates and more holidays.

Concerns over cleaning standards and the risk of cross-infection were also highlighted by the union.

Earlier this year it warned safety could be put at risk because of a lack of basic equipment .

It said staff were being asked to work without basic supplies such as working wheelchairs and trolleys for porters and mops and cleaning cloths for cleaners.

Sodexo’s five year contract the trust ended early this year by mutual agreement.

Hospital bosses say they have made a significant investment in new equipment such as ward drinks trolleys, wheelchairs and new staff uniforms.

It has also bought new cleaning equipment to ensure all areas are kept up to standard.

Chief executive Matthew Kershaw said: “For many patients, these staff are just as important to their care as the doctors and nurses.

“A friendly porter getting somebody to the right place makes a real difference and a well presented meal is more likely to be eaten by somebody when they most need to keep up their strength.

“The cleanliness of our hospitals inside and out is vital to safe care.

“We will support our staff to provide the excellent service that our patients deserve.”