A board member of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) has resigned "on principle" over a decision to privatise cleaning, catering and housekeeping jobs at the hospital.

Rik Evans said the decision to stand down was a protest against moving some of the lowest paid staff over to a private company that simply want "to increase their bank balance".

Adding that is the time for people to "wake up" and that it will "not be the last privatisation at RCHT".

Lezli Boswell, RCHT Chief Executive said: "We can confirm that the Trust is engaged in a market test of its hotel services. Responses to the tender process have been discussed by the RCHT Board and it is our intention to make an announcement on the future service model in June.

“We currently remain in a procurement process and therefore any announcement about a final decision is premature. The Trust Board does now have a preferred service model and provider and we will be able to say more about this in a few weeks.

“We have followed due process throughout this procurement project and will continue to do so – sharing information as and when appropriate. Our priority is to ensure high quality services for patients and effective use of public money.”

On the resignation of Rik Evans, Angela Ballatti, RCHT chairman said: “We want to thank Rik Evans for his service to Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and respect his anticipated decision to resign today on principle about potential changes to the way hotel services are provided.

“We currently remain in a procurement process and therefore any announcement about a final decision is premature. The Trust Board does now have a preferred service model and provider and we will be able to say more about this in a few weeks.

“I recognise that not everyone will agree with our position but all other Trust Board members firmly believe that we have made the right decision for the patients and families we serve. Our priority will always be to continually improve services and we will continue to make decisions based on quality and sustainability.”