The decision to pause the proposed closure of Cefndy Healthcare provides a vital opportunity for staff, unions and the community to demonstrate that the service has a viable and sustainable future, says UNISON Cymru today (Tuesday).
The six-month extension gives workers time to present detailed evidence to the council, including proposals that would protect jobs, retain specialist manufacturing skills in Rhyl and maintain the supply of essential equipment to NHS Wales.
However, the pause does not remove the uncertainty facing the majority disabled staff. UNISON says the threat of closure continues to hang over the workforce and over a service that plays an important role in supporting hospitals, service users and wider public services across Wales.
The union says it is essential that the council uses the review period properly. That means engaging meaningfully with workers and unions, listening to those who know Cefndy best and giving full and fair consideration to the alternatives to closure.
UNISON will participate fully in the stakeholder process and will continue making the case for Cefndy to remain open in the interests of staff, service users and the local community.
Cefndy worker Trish Price said: “Cefndy is a special place with a long history and so much more potential in the future. It’s given me a good, secure job working with great people. The review needs to look at all the options to keep it open.”
UNISON Denbighshire branch secretary David Morgan said: “The cabinet have finally listened to Cefndy workers who strongly believe there could be a bright future for their facility. It’s essential that they keep listening to the workers and open the books to UNISON as part of this review. They must leave no stone unturned to develop options for ensuring Cefndy Healthcare’s future.”
Notes to editors:
– Cefndy Healthcare is a supported manufacturing facility in Rhyl providing essential equipment to NHS Wales and employing a majority of disabled workers.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contact:
Jim Poulter M: 07904 342511 E: j.poulter@unison.co.uk