NHS Plans Cuts to Jobs and Services to Avoid ₤ 6.6 Bn Deficit

NHS trusts have been asked to make extreme cuts as the service deals with a forecasted shortfall of almost ₤ 7 billion, warned today.

In a survey for NHS Providers, 47 percent of trust leaders cautioned they are rolling back services to balance the books, while another 43 percent are thinking about doing so.

Rehabilitation centres, talking therapies and diabetes services for young people are among services at danger.

Eighty-six percent of participants said their organisation is needing to cut tasks in non-clinical groups, while 37 percent plan to cut scientific posts.

A variety of trusts are aiming to cut 500 jobs or more, with one preparation as numerous as 1,000.

NHS union Unison's head of health Helga Pile stated: "Ministers should not be insisting trusts stabilize their books while disregarding the damaging effects for patient care and a demoralised workforce.

"The NHS requires more staff - not fewer workers - if hold-ups and awaits clients are to end."