Northampton General Hospital plans to axe 310 jobs

Northampton General Hospital has outlined plans to cut hundreds of jobs as part of its multi-million pound savings programme.

Up to 310 posts could be made redundant by 2013 as the hospital tries to save £30m in the next two years.

Managers are looking at ways to redeploy some staff whose positions are being reviewed.

"This is a very challenging programme for us," said the hospital's acting chief executive Christine Allen.

"Thirty million pounds is obviously a hefty amount, we're working with our staff and looking at every area of the services we offer.

"We will do everything that we can to make sure we redeploy staff where possible."

Planned closures

Mrs Allen said that posts under threat could include management, administration, procurement and those working on the theatre wards.

The hospital has already announced the closure of a number of theatres and wards as part of its cost-cutting measures.

Mrs Allen said the hospital's "standard of service" would not decline despite the cuts and waiting time targets will be met.

"Patients coming in for operations should not be concerned," Mrs Allen added.

"When we reduce the ward numbers we will move staff to cover them.

"There will be fewer beds, but the idea is to move some patients into the community or their own homes."

Mary Maguire, Unison spokeswoman, said: "This gives the lie to the government's claims they would ring-fence frontline services.

"It will affect frontline services and patient care will suffer."