More than 500 jobs could be lost in NHS reshuffle

Ed Garratt said it was a "challenging time" for colleagues working in regional NHS teams

More than 500 jobs are expected to be lost across two counties when local NHS teams are reorganised.

In March, the government announced it wanted the integrated care boards (ICBs) to halve running costs to "tackle inefficiencies and drive up productivity in the NHS".

Ed Garratt, chief executive designate for the Norfolk and Waveney ICB and the Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, said this would mean the workforce of 1,200 would be reduced to about 673.

"This is a challenging time for all colleagues working in the ICB and I continue to be impressed with their high levels of professionalism," he said.

ICBs manage budgets for hospitals, GP surgeries and dentists and are responsible for improving population health.

The NHS has proposed reducing the number of ICBs in the East of England from six, to three.

Mr Garratt said a staff consultation was launched on Wednesday on the proposed restructure and regarding the reduction in running costs.

It is due to end on 12 January.

Mr Garratt did not say how soon people could lose their jobs, but Unison said it could begin in "a few months".

Unison Eastern regional organiser Rad Kerrigan said staff, who had "integral" skills and experience, had been "left in limbo".

"Remaining staff will be under enormous pressure to do the work of their sacked colleagues, and ultimately its patients that will suffer," said Mr Kerrigan.

The Department of Health and Social Care has said it wants to "cut bureaucracy to invest even further in the front line" to "support hard-working staff and deliver a better service for patients and taxpayers' money".