Dorchester Protest Draws Crowd in Defence of NHS Staff

Saturday, August 2nd, saw a powerful show of solidarity outside Dorset County Hospital, as support staff, NHS workers, trade unionists, and members of the public gathered to protest against plans to move over 1,700 NHS workers into a private “subco” company.

Organised by UNISON and local activists, the demonstration included speeches, placards, music, and heartfelt testimony from workers who feel their jobs and identity as NHS staff are under threat. The proposed subsidiary company—framed by trust leadership as a cost-saving measure—has drawn fierce criticism for what campaigners see as backdoor privatisation.

"They say we'll keep our NHS terms and conditions, but what happens when the company wants to cut costs? This isn't about saving money—it's about breaking up the NHS piece by piece." — one protester

The protest follows weeks of organising, petitioning, and awareness-raising from staff across Dorset. Earlier, pressure from staff and trade unions led to a four-week pause in the subco rollout, with the trust agreeing to open discussions with UNISON. But campaigners say now is not the time to let up.

“The pause is a result of people power. This protest shows we’re not going away quietly.”

As the campaign continues, organisers are calling on supporters to:

• Sign the petition: Say No to Subco
• Join UNISON if you’re a staff member
• Attend future events — and keep talking to colleagues, neighbours, and friends

The NHS belongs to all of us. Let’s keep it that way.