THE fight to save a Maidstone NHS depot from privatisation has been delt a heavy blow by the Government’s decision to continue its negotiations with contract bidder DHL.

Three hundred workers at the NHS Logistics depot in Allington say they fear for their jobs and the quality of medical supplies to Kent if the plans go ahead.

But in a letter to Chatham and Aylesford MP Jonathan Shaw, the minister of health, Jane Kennedy, said DHL and its partner company Novation had presented a "comprehensive and well argued business case" and had given the Department of Health "no justification" not to proceed with negotiations.

With this decision in place the minister said it was the Department of Health’s intention to to make a final decision on the future of the service at the end of May.

Maidstone depot worker and union spokesman Paul Harper condemned the minister’s decision. He said: "If NHS Logistics is outsourced we believe there is a possibility of price increases, reduncancies and service cuts."

UNISON Head of Health, Karen Jennings, echoed his words commenting: "I am shocked and angry at the hasty decision to privatise NHS Logistics, which has delivered a world class service. Why the Government wants to hand over such a successful organisation to DHL is beyond me.

"Getting vital supplies to hospitals on time and to order demands a smooth running service and to disrupt that organisation with this massive privatisation is risky and premature.

"Last year £3million was returned to NHS trusts as a value rebate - I am sure that DHL shareholders will not want be so generous in sharing their profits with the NHS.

"Staff will be outraged and angry and we are demanding urgent talks but industrial action may be on the cards."