Bosses at Ipswich Hospital have rejected Unison claims that a programme of job reductions could put patients at risk.
The union said the East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) which runs Ipswich and Colchester hospitals has been told to reduce support staff numbers to cut “bureaucracy.”
But it warns that the targeted staff play a key role in helping clinicians deliver patient care.
The trust has opened a ‘mutually agreed resignation scheme’ this week, a form of voluntary severance enabling employees to leave their employment in return for a payout.
But the amount on offer to staff is less than they would receive under a regular redundancy scheme, says Unison.
Senior managers at the trust have not specified how many jobs they want to shed as part of the scheme, nor discussed proposals with unions, says UNISON.
However, papers from the local integrated care board in March suggest the East Suffolk and North Essex trust has to cut 263 posts, the union says.
Union branch secretary Natasha Hunt said: “This is bad news for staff and patients. Anyone working in the NHS knows the vital contribution made every day by administrative employees.
“Without the support of administrators, nurses, doctors and other overstretched healthcare professionals will be forced to spend more time on clerical tasks and less time caring for patients."
The Trust said it is offering staff in administrative and clerical roles the opportunity to apply to leave the Trust under a mutually agreed resignation scheme.
Chief Executive Nick Hulme said: “Like every NHS Trust and organisation, we have been asked to make changes and savings within our administrative, clerical and corporate functions.
“These are difficult decisions. Taking these steps will help us to achieve the savings we need to make while protecting our frontline services and retaining staff who wish to remain in employment at ESNEFT.
“This is part of a wider, ongoing conversation that, ultimately, is about improving the lives of the 10,000 people who are relying on us every day.
“I’d like to offer my reassurance that while we go through this process, we will make sure our services remain safe. People in our communities will continue to get the care, treatment and support they need, when they need it.”
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