PORTERS at Worcestershire Royal Hospital may go on strike after management took away their TV set.

The porters, who work for a company called ISS, are currently being balloted by their trade union, Unison, over the possibility of taking strike action.

The action comes after a television, which has been in the porters' lodge for many years, was removed by ISS - the company contracted by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust to provide switchboard and porter staff at Worcestershire Royal.

A source close to the porters says the television had acted as a "coping mechanism" for staff, who regularly have to visually check dead bodies arriving at the hospital.

During moments of down time, the porters would watch the television to distract themselves from dwelling on the upsetting sights they had seen.

Among their other vital duties, porters transport patients around the hospital, deliver emergency blood supplies and move laundry around the building.

A spokesman for Unison West Midlands Region said: "We are currently undertaking a consultative ballot with Unison ISS porters, security and switchboard staff to gauge the strength of feeling over a series of inconsiderate actions by management which takes away facilities that the staff have enjoyed over many years.

"These are low paid hard working members who go above and beyond their contractual duties. They feel undervalued, not listened to and as a result feel their good will is being trampled upon.

"Given the role they play in dealing with members of the public who are poorly they are an integral part of the care delivered at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"They would not wish to jeopardise health care standards and feel they are left with no option but to make the strength of their feelings known."

The ballot is set to close on Friday, August 26.

A spokesman for ISS said the porters' lodge is "an inappropriate place for a TV" because it is "an important working area".

The spokesman said: "ISS is disappointed that some members of their staff, supported by the trades union, should be considering a strike that would clearly inconvenience patients and staff at the hospital.

"The consultative ballot sheet that has been distributed is purely to gain an indication of an appetite for further action.

"Whilst there remains plenty of opportunity for open discussion it is hoped that positive communication will prevail and no further action will be necessary."

A spokesman for the Acute Hospitals Trust declined to comment, as the dispute is with ISS and not with the trust.