29.04.19
Scandal-hit clinical waste firm HES goes into liquidation
Clinical waste firm Healthcare Environmental Services (HES) has gone into liquidation four months after making all of its staff redundant in the wake of the waste stockpiling scandal.
The firm was stripped of 15 major NHS contracts after it was found to be storing waste which included human body parts five times over their permitted limit and breaching its permit in four of its six England sites.
Around 150 jobs were lost, with staff left pursuing legal action to recover wages, and now lawyers have said that the workers could be owed more than £1m.
Accountant firm BDO has been appointed to oversee the liquidation, and are now seeking access to the company’s books and records.
Prior to the scandal HES managed all of Scotland’s clinical waste disposal, but contingency plans had to be put into place and in many areas implemented when the clinical waste pile up was revealed.
Company owner Garry Pettigrew at the time said his company had been “vilified for providing an excellent service” and has previously refused to put the company into administration as well as insisting he is not liable for former employee’s wages.
David Martyn, of Thompsons Solicitors who have been acting on behalf of some former employees, told the BBC this was a "starting point" towards getting the workers the money they’re owed.
“Normally what happens when a company goes into administration is the employees can get their notice pay, any unpaid wages, holiday pay and things like that, from the government Insolvency Service.
“Of course, when the company doesn't go into administration, this puts the employees in a terrible situation.
“They have now had four or five months where they have not had their last month's wages and the notice periods they are entitled to.
“We have had terrible stories of people having to rely on food banks just to see them through.”
He added: “We estimate that payments of over £1m are owed to these workers. Obviously, that is a huge boost to the workers.
"We call on Mr Pettigrew to allow access to the books and the records, and that will allow these payments to be expedited.”
Image credit - Lucinda CameronPA WirePA Image