Nottingham Hospitals Staff Devastated by Possible Job Cuts

Staff at Nottingham’s hospitals are facing uncertainty and fear as Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Trust considers job cuts to address a potential £69 million budget gap. The trust, which operates Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, has put a number of staff at risk of redundancy, leaving employees devastated and struggling to sleep.

According to Nottinghamshire Live, NUH made an agreement with NHS England to reduce costs after concerns were raised about its financial position. As a result, large portions of NUH’s finance department are set to be outsourced to a private provider, potentially affecting around 80 workers, mainly low-paid admin staff.

One long-serving finance department employee expressed feeling blindsided by the news of possible job cuts, stating that the lack of transparency and uncertainty about the future has left staff feeling let down and scared. The outsourcing of payroll and pension services to NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) by October 1, and the transfer of other functions by April next year, has raised concerns about the impact on patient care.

Unison, the union representing NUH workers, criticized the decision to outsource finance functions as short-sighted and detrimental to staff who are already struggling in a cost of living crisis. Rachel Perry-Doyle, regional organiser at Unison, emphasized the devastating effect on employees and the importance of retaining control over finances.

NUH’s chief financial officer, Paul Matthew, acknowledged the challenging period ahead and committed to supporting affected colleagues through the consultation process. However, the lack of clarity and the emotional toll on staff remain significant concerns as employees grapple with the uncertainty of their future employment.

The potential job cuts at NUH highlight the broader challenges facing healthcare workers in the UK and the impact of financial pressures on both staff and patient care. As the situation unfolds, employees are left grappling with the personal and professional implications of the proposed changes, underscoring the need for transparent communication and support during this difficult time.