A trade union has questioned the safety and suitability of a new fleet of lorries purchased by NHS Grampian.
The regional health board has purchased a number of new Mitsubishi Fuso Canters for its drivers to transport materials between its hospitals and other sites all across the north-east.
However, members of the trade union GMB have raised concerns that the new vehicles are not as safe as the ones they currently drive.
They have also voiced worries the new Fuso Canters are not as comfortable for long-distance driving.
NHS Grampian, however, has insisted the lorries are “roadworthy and safe”, and used by businesses around the world.
Melanie Greenhalgh, from the GMB union, said: “GMB Scotland were contacted about five weeks ago by some of its members regarding NHS Grampian’s purchase of new vehicles.
“There were concerns that there were health and safety issues, and there were concerns that nobody had actually spoken to the staff in regards to any comments they would have liked to make, to help ensure the new vehicles are of the same standard of the vehicles they are used to driving.
“They find the existing vehicles very acceptable, comfortable to drive, and have got all the safety features they need to feel safe while working on the roads.
“The new vehicles are of a different make, and we have some serious concerns from a health and safety point of view regarding our members driving these vehicles.
Ms Greenhalgh added: “GMB will defend its member’s interests.
“This is health and safety, and we wouldn’t expect NHS Grampian’s procurement service to make such errors and cause such concerns for our members.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said: “These vehicles are from a well-known and reputable manufacturer and used by many businesses across the UK, and across the world.
“We are confident they are roadworthy and safe.
“However, a small number of staff have raised some concerns, and we have sought clarification from the manufacturer.
“We hope to have this information available to them and trade union representatives by the end of this week.
“In the meantime, the usual pre-commissioning checks that we carry out on all vehicles are underway.”
The company that sells Mitsubishi Fuso Canters in the UK did not respond to requests for a comment.
