The trust board are considering whether to put an advertisement out, but this is not the appropriate time

Steven Weeks, Unison

"We accept that, particularly when a number of smaller hospitals have been closed, but PFI (private finance initiative) is not the way forward."

The union claims the terms and conditions of employement for NHS workers have worsened under PFI.

In a statement, senior trust managers said they were committed to ensuring any staff transferring to the private sector were "fully protected".

Unison wants the trust to wait before any decision is made, claiming that PFI creates "immense uncertainty" for staff.

"The trust board are considering whether to put an advertisement out, but this is not the appropriate time," said Mr Weeks.

Victorian surroundings

Under the pilot schemes, workers at Roehampton in south-west London, Havering in Essex and Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, will retain NHS contracts despite private sector involvement.

A spokesman for the trust said: "The people of Tower Hamlets, the City and east London are in desperate need of a new modern hospital.

"Trust staff work hard to provide 21st Century health care in the Victorian surroundings of the Royal London Hospital.

"Like all hospitals currently planning to rebuild, we are looking to finance the bulk of our plans through a private finance initiative in line with government policy."