I wrote a letter today to Dr Jackie Bene, chief executive Bolton NHS Trust, in support of those members of staff who are on strike at the hospital.

There is a demonstration in Bolton town centre today. I wrote to express grave concern for the staff of the iFN (porters, cleaners and other ancillary staff so employed).

I understand that the trust has set up a separate private subsidiary company. This in itself is an extraordinary act and must raise suspicion that this is aimed at reducing the pay and conditions of staff.

Indeed this has proved to be the case, as I understand that staff had been assured of parity with NHS staff but that promise has been betrayed and an already agreed pay rise has been denied.

This has resulted in staff doing the same work being paid different levels of wages. That an NHS board of educated, comparatively wealthy, secure and powerful people, an elite group, should disempower the lowest paid staff, is an act of political oppression and exploitation. This structure is immoral. It must be dismantled and staff re-integrated into the NHS.

I worked for the NHS and the private sector in mental health for 30 years before retiring. I am concerned for the physical and mental health for these low paid staff.

The stress of the changes has impacted on these caring people and already caused distress. I fear for the morale of all NHS staff witnessing this cruel and demeaning practice. I am also concerned for the psychological and spiritual health of trust board members who are acting so cruelly against their own staff.

Given this is the 70th anniversary of the NHS, it is a terrible reward to the staff who are the foundation of the integrated structure of this world class service.

Cleaners, porters, fire safety and catering etc are essential services.

I note this new organisation is called iFM Bolton Ltd: i = Integrated, F = Facilities, M = Management Ltd.

Separating these services off from the main hospital services mean they are not Integrated. This is privatisation of the NHS by the NHS and is an undemocratic outrage.

Dr John Christey-Casson