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Stepping Hill Hospital cuts jobs as it loses £75 a minute | Stepping Hill Hospital cuts jobs as it loses £75 a minute |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A hospital that is losing £75 a minute is to close a ward and axe 350 full-time posts, its trust has revealed. | A hospital that is losing £75 a minute is to close a ward and axe 350 full-time posts, its trust has revealed. |
Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport has a deficit of more than £40m and staff have been told the plan to cut costs was "essential". | Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport has a deficit of more than £40m and staff have been told the plan to cut costs was "essential". |
As well as shutting the posts, it includes closing a surgical ward on Friday, and cutting eight trauma and orthopaedic beds. | As well as shutting the posts, it includes closing a surgical ward on Friday, and cutting eight trauma and orthopaedic beds. |
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said it faced "huge financial difficulties". | Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said it faced "huge financial difficulties". |
'Bolt from blue' | 'Bolt from blue' |
Councillor Laura Booth, who campaigns on hospital issues for Stockport's Liberal Democrats, said the loss of 22 beds on ward B3 and the other proposals were worrying. | Councillor Laura Booth, who campaigns on hospital issues for Stockport's Liberal Democrats, said the loss of 22 beds on ward B3 and the other proposals were worrying. |
"This is a bolt from the blue and we are desperately worried for the staff and patients who will be affected by these cuts," she said. | "This is a bolt from the blue and we are desperately worried for the staff and patients who will be affected by these cuts," she said. |
A hospital spokeswoman said the plan was in line with those of other NHS organisations in a similar position. | A hospital spokeswoman said the plan was in line with those of other NHS organisations in a similar position. |
"We [must] proactively address our financial situation now in order to have a good future going forward," she said. | "We [must] proactively address our financial situation now in order to have a good future going forward," she said. |
"It would be irresponsible to sit and do nothing." | "It would be irresponsible to sit and do nothing." |
'Rigorous assessment' | 'Rigorous assessment' |
The trust hopes to cut posts through voluntary redundancies and not replacing outgoing staff. | The trust hopes to cut posts through voluntary redundancies and not replacing outgoing staff. |
A statement added: "In the case of each voluntary redundancy, a rigorous assessment will be made to ensure that the loss of the post in question would not have a negative impact on patient safety, and would still allow us to provide good quality services." | A statement added: "In the case of each voluntary redundancy, a rigorous assessment will be made to ensure that the loss of the post in question would not have a negative impact on patient safety, and would still allow us to provide good quality services." |
Several bed closures taking place would often be vacant during the summer months, it said. | Several bed closures taking place would often be vacant during the summer months, it said. |
Car parking charges are also to rise and part of the hospital will be sold as part of the plan to save money. | Car parking charges are also to rise and part of the hospital will be sold as part of the plan to save money. |
The trust said staff in higher pay bands would be required to pay higher car parking charges. | The trust said staff in higher pay bands would be required to pay higher car parking charges. |
The Patients Association described the closure as "very worrying". | |
Chief Executive Katherine Murphy said: "Why should patients and NHS staff pay the price for huge NHS wastage over the years and Government cuts? | |
"Ultimately, people will be wondering which hospital will be next to declare closures and job losses." |