A GROUP of formerly outsourced cleaners are taking Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) to a groundbreaking employment tribunal, alleging indirect race discrimination. 

The unprecedented 10-day hearing – the first lawsuit of its type against an NHS trust – could see the 80 black and minority ethnic staff awarded between £80,000 and £190,000 each if the tribunal finds in their favour.

For decades, the cleaners were employed on worse terms and conditions than in-house staff at the world-famous London children’s hospital, leading to a dispute in 2020 between management and the United Voices of the World (UVW) union.