Support staff from hospitals in Dudley protested outside the Department of Health headquarters in Whitehall yesterday, as part of a long-running industrial dispute.

As part of a contract with Summit Healthcare to build three new hospitals in the area, the jobs of more than 600 porters, cleaners, cooks and catering staff are to be transferred from the Dudley Group of NHS Trusts to the private firm

According to a PA News report Unison joint branch secretary Mark New said staff were not opposing the deal to build the hospitals, only the decision to transfer the staff. Catering supervisor Patricia Robins told Health Secretary Alan Milburn they were determined to remain NHS employees: "We care about the NHS. We love our jobs and that's why we are prepared to give up holidays and Christmas. You are taking that away from us," she said.