Waste firm involved in backlog controversy intends to sue NHS
Healthcare Environmental Services is looking for upwards of £15 million in damages.
A disposal company facing a probe over a pile-up of waste from the health service has announced its intentions to sue the NHS organisations which terminated their contracts.
Healthcare Environmental Services (HES) said it will pursue legal action against 17 NHS trusts in Yorkshire which “unlawfully” ended their contracts.
The company is seeking damages “upwards of £15 million”.
It said its lawyers Shoosmiths have written to the trusts outlining the reasons for legal action.
The company became embroiled in a clinical waste stockpiling controversy earlier this year.
The firm has since denied claims that human body parts were among items caught up in a backlog at its sites.
“Our contracts were terminated without first discussing any performance issues with the company and we were given no opportunity to fulfil our obligations.
“We are now taking this action to safeguard the company and our employees’ future, and to give us an opportunity to correct some of the misinformation that has been reported in the media.”
The Environment Agency has previously said that the firm was found to to be in breach of permits at four of its six sites in England which deal with clinical waste and a criminal investigation has been launched.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency also previously confirmed that it issued enforcement notices at sites in Dundee and Shotts, North Lanarkshire.
