Hospital supply deliveries face disruption during five waves of driver strikes

Hospitals across England are preparing for possible disruption to deliveries after almost 200 lorry drivers responsible for transporting essential NHS supplies announced five periods of strike action. The walkouts will begin on 13 October and continue at intervals into November unless an agreement is reached in an ongoing dispute over pay.

The drivers are employed by logistics company GXO, which operates NHS Supply Chain distribution services on behalf of Supply Chain Coordination Limited, an organisation wholly owned by NHS England. They transport products including bandages, dressings, gloves, gowns and needles from regional depots to hospitals and other healthcare facilities across the country.

Unite members rejected a 4% pay offer, with the union arguing that drivers working on the NHS contract receive less favourable employment conditions than workers directly employed under NHS terms, including significantly lower pension provision. GXO has maintained that its offer is fair and said it remains committed to reaching a resolution through discussions with Unite and the conciliation service Acas.

Industrial action is planned between 13 and 15 October, 20 and 22 October and 27 and 29 October, followed by further walkouts from 3 to 5 November and 10 to 12 November. Drivers based at distribution sites in Alfreton, Bridgwater, Normanton, Maidstone, Rugby, Bury St Edmunds and Washington are expected to participate, although the network serves hospitals throughout England.

Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said the drivers perform a critical role in ensuring equipment reaches NHS organisations every day and insisted the action could still be avoided if an acceptable offer were made. The union has warned that industrial action could intensify if the dispute remains unresolved.

GXO said patient care remained its priority and that robust contingency plans were being prepared to minimise disruption. NHS Supply Chain is developing individual plans for affected trusts, identifying which delivery routes may be interrupted and the measures available to maintain supplies. Customer service teams will contact relevant organisations directly to discuss ordering and delivery arrangements.

The strikes do not mean hospitals will immediately run out of essential products, but repeated action across several major depots could place pressure on routine deliveries and existing stock levels. NHS organisations may need to adjust ordering patterns and prioritise critical products if the dispute continues into November.

Both sides still have time to reach an agreement before the first walkout. However, with five separate rounds of action now scheduled, hospitals will be hoping contingency arrangements can protect frontline services if negotiations fail to prevent the strikes.

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