UNISON union members at the Frimley Health NHS Trust, have voted in “huge numbers” to take strike action, in their “campaign to stay in the NHS”.

The hospital trust wants to privatise up to 1,000 facility staff, but 99 per cent of union members voted in favour of industrial action, on a 72 per cent turnout.

UNISON South East regional secretary Steve Torrance found the ballot “sends an overwhelming message” that can’t be ignored, adding: “The trust must now take staff concerns seriously and work with UNISON to ensure these workers remain directly employed by the NHS.”

A statement from the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust said: "We have noted the recent result of the ballot by Unison and await results from other unions. In the event of any actions by the unions everyone’s priority will be the continued safety of our patients and we are putting robust contingency plans in place to ensure this.

"All of our staff are extremely valuable to us at Frimley Health and we will continue to support them to the best of our abilities.

"We have explained to our staff that the decision to form a subsidiary was taken after exploring all available options.

"The Trust feels this is the only way we can maintain control whilst still protecting jobs and at the same time helping to secure the future of Frimley Health and the continued investment required to deliver outstanding patient care.

"It is also a real opportunity to offer enhanced support to a vital part of our NHS workforce by making them the focus of the new organisation and giving them further opportunities for growth and development that they so rightly deserve."