Construction union Unite has set out its requirements for any contractor appointed to the stalled Midland Metropolitan hospital project in Sandwell.

The project has been stalled since the main contractor Carillion collapsed in January 2018. Originally planned to become operational this month, the hospital is not expected to be completed until at least 2022.

The union wrote to Toby Lewis, chief executive of the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, to ensure workers are treated fairly and not exploited whenever the project resumes.

Unite is seeking that any contractor appointed to the project is required to:

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• Adhere to national industrial agreements that govern pay and conditions

• Use local labour and suppliers

• Workers are directly employed (not employed under a form of bogus self-employment)

• Exploitative forms of employment such as umbrella companies are outlawed

• Trade unions are recognised and are given proper access to the workforce.

Unite regional officer Su Lowe said: "Local residents desperately need a new hospital which must become operational as early as possible but this must not be at the expense of the construction workers who will undertake this vitally needed work.

"Exploitation can only be prevented and fair treatment guaranteed by recognising industrial agreements, guaranteeing direct employment and allowing unions proper access to the workforce.

"Unless workers are treated fairly and decently there is likely to be further problems with the construction of this site, which will create even more delays, causing even greater misery for patients and staff."

The local NHS Trust is working to appoint a contractor for the project.

(CM/MH)