HOSPITAL workers are set to go on strike for seven days in protest of the borough trust's decision to transfer jobs to a private NHS company.

Staff at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust (WWL) who are members of trade union Unison will take industrial action on Tuesday, July 27 at 6am in opposition to the move to switch around 900 positions to WWL Solutions Limited.

Workers in positions such as portering, cleaning and catering will be affected by the change.

It is the fourth strike period that staff will go on strike with previous 48-hours ones being held on May 23 and 24, June 8 and 9, and a six day one from June 27 to today, Wednesday.

There are concerns that workers' positions and their terms and conditions will be under threat once the transfer takes place.

MPs across the country have backed the campaign including Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Leigh MP Jo Platt.

Unison North West regional organiser Lizanne Devonport said: “Staff are resolute in their determination to keep the NHS together.

"The last few days have seen very strong strike action across the trust’s hospital sites.

"Staff are receiving tremendous support locally and from people who care about the future of the NHS right across the country.

“The trust has so far ignored the deeply-felt objections to their damaging and divisive plans.

"They need to come back to the negotiating table urgently to avoid further strike action.”