Brian Black reports on the contracts awarded to various companies for the domestic services offered in hospitals.
With mention to the various health boards of Northern Ireland, we are told that there has been a "major row between unions, health boards and government" which has masked the realities of the likely affects that these privatisation plans will have on the health service. England and Scotland are already feeling these effects, though it is a hospital in Londonderry which is the first to feel it in NI.
Upwards of 200 jobs have been lost, Joe Brolly, who has been a victim of these job redundancies, explains how much of a negative effect this has had on him and his family and that ultimately, even when offered a part time contract, that the hours aren't enough and he is better off "on the dole".
Dr Ian Banks, speaks of the doctors concerns as he views the domestic services in hospitals as a vital part of the team effort. Other issues mentioned is of false tendering, with the case of the City Hospital mentioned as one company believed they could clean the hospital in 5000 hours, in comparison to the 9000 hours it currently took.