NURSES and health visitors responsible for the welfare of children and young people across Slough have been left reeling after a shock decision by the borough council to privatise the service they provide.

Slough Borough Council has responsibility for the care of young people from infancy to 19 years of age – and has previously used the services of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

The 60-strong team, based at Upton Court Hospital in Albert Street, learned last week that the council is moving the service from the NHS into the hands of private providers Solutions4Health from October.

Cathy Saunders, head of marketing and communications at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are disappointed to be losing the health visiting and school nursing contract for Slough. It is a high-performing, well-regarded service that we are very proud of.

“We are also aware that our staff have concerns about the quality and safety of the new service, particularly around the loss of our joined-up clinical records system and integrated working with all our other children’s services, including ‘looked after children’ and mental health.”

Worried staff members say Solutions4Health has no experience of delivering clinical or nursing services.

One said: “We are talking about the most vulnerable children in Slough – who are now becoming guinea pigs. How can we expect people to trust us if we are not part of the NHS?”

Slough Council has insisted that taking the service away from the NHS trust was not done for financial reasons – although it will not confirm whether or not using Solutions4Health will cost less.

Cllr Sabia Hussain, cabinet member for health and social care, said: “Our new contract will enable us to drive up the quality of our service through improvements to accessibility, including extended hours, online provision and a single point of contact.”

Cate Duffy, director of the council’s children, learning and skills, said: “Solutions4Health won the tender following a rigorous procurement process.”

Leena Sankla, director of public health for Solutions4Health, said: “We look forward to welcoming the exemplary team of health visitors and school nurses into our supportive, focused, and caring culture.”