UNISON WARNS CUTS AT ST MARY’S WILL ‘PILE MORE PRESSURE’ ON NHS SERVICES

The UK’s largest trade union has warned that losing vital workers at the Isle of Wight’s only hospital will pile more pressure on services already creaking at the seams.

UNISON weighed in following revelations that roughly 10% of whole time equivalent (WTE) jobs within the Isle of Wight NHS Trust are at risk as part of ‘cost improvement plans’, as previously reported by Island Echo.

The Trust said ‘workforce reduction’ was a ‘key aspect’ of its operating plan for 2025/26 in its March board papers.

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Plans show 249 roles have been selected for cutbacks out of 2,470 WTE roles across substantive, bank and agency staff groups at St Mary’s Hospital, equivalent to a saving of £10.8million.

James Smith, UNISON south east regional organiser, has said:

“The pressure on the NHS is unsustainable. Tackling the growing demand and ensuring patients get the timely care they deserve won’t be achieved by cutting jobs.

“More will be known next week after unions and employer representatives meet.

“What’s certain is that losing vital health worker roles will simply place more strain on services already creaking at the seams and will cost more in the long run.”

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The Trust previously said that while it understands ‘these decisions are difficult’, it needs to ‘go further’ than it did last year to ‘achieve the significant financial savings required of us’.

Its move has come as Whitehall unveils plans to reorganise the NHS and impose cost-cutting measures, including cutting some corporate jobs.