Hospital trust jobs face axe to save £12m

Jobs are being axed at a Black Country hospital trust as bosses try to shave £12million off this year's budget, it emerged today.

Health chiefs in Dudley have started targeting back office posts to reduce staff levels but say cuts to doctors and nurses will be "an absolute last resort".

Unions say they are dismayed jobs are being slashed. Workers will be told if their jobs are at risk and where it is possible will be found alternative posts at other NHS organisations across the region.

If a position cannot be found the affected workers will be made redundant. Up to nine staff have so far been told their jobs are at risk.

Chief executive Paula Clark said today the hospital trust, which runs Russells Hall and the Guest hospitals in Dudley and the Corbett in Stourbridge, needed to reduce the payroll to help meet its savings target.

"We are, however, reviewing our back office functions, which has resulted in a number of staff being put at risk."

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which employs more than 3,257 full-time equivalent staff, says it needs to save £12million each year for the next three to four years.

Bosses hope other cash can be saved by reducing the amount of time patients spend in hospital when they have an operation.

Unison regional organiser Tracy Wood said the move had come as a "complete shock".