Atleast 5,000 NHS roles are set to be cut across the South East as health trusts struggle with mounting financial pressures, says UNISON today (Tuesday).
Newly published research by the union reveals that trusts in the South East are planning to cut around 5,152 full time equivalent posts by 2028, the highest level of reductions in any region in England.
The findings are contained in a report Less Fit For The Future, which shows NHS providers nationally are attempting to close a combined deficit of more than £1.1bn, with government demands for balanced budgets driving widespread workforce cuts.
Across England, at least 21,000 NHS roles are expected to go, including thousands of clinical positions such as nurses, alongside support staff through vacancy freezes, restructures and reduced agency use.
In the South East, some of the largest planned cuts include University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust with around 1,530 posts, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust with around 1,196 posts, and Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust with around 884 posts.
UNISON warns the real number of job losses could be even higher, as not all trusts were able to provide full data.
A separate survey of nearly 20,000 NHS staff found 65% say job cuts have increased their workload, 65% report higher stress levels, and 42% believe patient care has worsened.
UNISON South East regional secretary Jo Galloway said: “South East NHS services are facing the biggest workforce cuts in the country, which should set alarm bells ringing for ministers.
“Staff here are already under intense pressure, working flat out to keep services going. Losing thousands more colleagues will only make things worse for patients and workers alike.
“Cutting jobs to balance the books is a false economy. It risks longer waits, reduced services and burnt out staff leaving the NHS altogether.
“The government must rethink these financial rules and properly invest in the workforce our NHS desperately needs.”
UNISON Head of Health Helga Pile said: “Cutting thousands of NHS jobs is the wrong answer when staff are already stretched to breaking point.
“The public are all too aware how understaffing is a major problem, so they will be rightly alarmed when the situation is getting worse.”
“Years of underfunding have left many trusts out of pocket and ministers’ financial reset is creating deep uncertainty about services and staff.
“Morale is through the floor as workers worry whether their jobs are at risk, amid soaring levels of stress and violence.
“The NHS is being asked to transform how care is delivered, with more community services and technology. But none of this is possible without the staff to make it happen.”
