Staff members of the Rapid Response Team at Guys and St Thomas’s Hospital are pausing their rigorous infection control duties after a hectic morning. This team is responsible for crucial deep cleaning tasks to prevent the spread of deadly diseases within the hospital. One team member expressed pride in being at the forefront of the NHS’s efforts.
Their daily challenges include dealing with various infectious diseases such as ebola, monkeypox, tuberculosis, MRSA, C. Difficile, norovirus, and Covid. To decontaminate hospital areas effectively, they utilize hazardous chemicals and sophisticated equipment like vaporized hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet machines.
Despite the risks involved in their work, including exposure to diseases, toxic substances, and radiation, these frontline workers are compensated at rates as low as £12.08 per hour, making them some of the lowest-paid individuals in the NHS. In protest against the persisting lack of improvements in staff and patient safety measures since the onset of the Covid outbreak five years ago, they plan to initiate strike action on Monday.
The workers, represented by the union Unite, have labeled their working conditions as “inhumane.” They highlight issues such as inadequate facilities for personal hygiene and limited space for breaks, which they believe compromise the safety of patients, families, and the general public.
Another concern raised by the infection control staff is the absence of proper amenities for breaks, forcing many to take their rest periods in substandard areas like lift lobbies or public corridors. The lack of hygienic facilities, including an unsuitable toilet with a shower head, contributes to their challenges in maintaining cleanliness after work.
Despite their essential role in combating infectious diseases like TB, ebola, monkeypox, MRSA, and C. difficile, these dedicated workers feel undervalued and neglected by the management. They emphasize the inadequate risk assessments for their tasks and express concerns about potential discriminatory treatment due to being predominantly black and migrant workers.
The Rapid Response Team, comprising over 60 individuals at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital, operates under Essentia, a non-clinical services department of the hospital but employed by the NHS. These professionals play a critical role in handling outbreaks and ensuring the hospital’s hygiene standards.
Their responsibilities involve using advanced equipment like the VHP machine, which effectively eliminates germs by releasing hydrated peroxide gas. The ongoing challenges posed by Covid and emerging infectious diseases underscore the importance of their work in maintaining public health and safety.
Despite facing a continuous stream of outbreaks, the team members have experienced insufficient rest periods and training on new cleaning techniques and chemicals. Reports from the hospital trust have identified systemic issues in maintaining cleanliness and managing outbreaks effectively.
The upcoming strike by the Rapid Response Team is driven by their commitment to improving their working conditions for the sake of public safety. The hospital management assures that patient services will remain unaffected, but the workers emphasize the need for meaningful changes to address their concerns and ensure a safe working environment.
The union and NHS management are engaged in discussions to resolve the dispute, but the lack of substantial progress has prompted the workers to escalate their protest. This move reflects their dedication to advocating for better treatment and conditions in their vital role as frontline defenders against infectious diseases.