Workers fear vulnerable people are being put at risk after clinical staff were moved from a base for clients with complex needs.

Clinical staff in Glasgow’s complex needs service have been moved from premises in Hunter Street in the east end to Commonwealth House in the Merchant City.

Concerns about patient care, staff safety and support and IT issues have been raised over the move.

Three unions have raised a formal dispute with management over the move which they said was done at seven days notice and in breach of partnership agreements.

The council and health board which manages the service said it is temporary until new premises are refurbished.

Staff said they fear people’s needs are not being met and there is a high risk it will end in tragedy for someone.

They said the system was designed as a drop-in service because the people who use it are vulnerable, living chaotic lives and suffering trauma.

It has been stated the new appointment booking system is not suitable for their needs.

One worker said: “It’s not appropriate for people in crisis who require access to care and support as and when they need it.”

If a client turns up then admin staff at Hunter Street need to try to contact clinical staff no longer based there and people are left waiting outside, often in cold and rain.

Staff said: “They come to us in the moment they need help, and if you don’t meet those needs then you might not see them again for a month.

“That means they can end up having to use other emergency services during a crisis and can end up, for example with the ambulance service, in acute services or the custody of police.”

The union said staff can’t access computers at Commonwealth House, landlines do not work, leading to missed contact with patients, wifi problems and inadequate mobile phone reception makes it difficult to do their job properly.

Staff reported writing up notes and attending online meetings in car parks because they do not have a working base to return to.

Mags McCarthy, Unison assistant branch secretary, said: “This is another example of failure to follow policy and work in partnership as required by the Scottish Government.

“In this instance it has a severely detrimental impact on some of the most vulnerable people the NHS is supposed to care for.

“Unison is concerned that it will take a tragedy before management will recognise the need to follow policies that are there to protect staff, managers and patients.

Lorcan Mullen, Unison Scotland Regional Organiser, said: “This type of unilateral decision-making – with no proper consultation with staff or patients – is why Unison, Unite and RCN are in dispute.”

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Staff have known for some time that the Complex Needs Service is moving to new refurbished accommodation.

“Staff will be based in Commonwealth House while renovation work is carried out in the new premises.  

“The clinical aspect of the Complex Needs Service is still running from Hunter Street – and the outreach work carried out daily by staff remains unchanged.

“However, any member of staff who feels this is affecting their ability to do their job should raise it with their line manager.”