Job losses looming at Leighton

Leighton Hospital, which is facing a £1.3 million deficit, is planning shock job cuts to balance its books. Hospital managers are scouring hospital departments to see where jobs can be cut as part of its 'Getting Back into the Black' strategy. It is not known how many jobs will go but a loss of up to 200 posts has been suggested. The news has created a sense of insecurity around the hospital and users worry it will hit front-line services. Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust has confirmed there would be job cuts but declined to say how many. The Trust employs 3,000 people in all. Staff will be consulted and the changes are expected to come into force in October.

If Leighton's financial problems seem severe, it's even worse over the border at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in the Potteries. It has been announced that the hospital is to shed 1,000 jobs to head off a £30 million deficit next year. At least three-quarters of the redundancies could be compulsory, with 370 posts to go in nursing and midwifery. Consultants are being urged to minimise the number of nights patients stay in hospital and newly trained nurses have had job interviews postponed.

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