Hospital plans to cut 11 more staff

5:18pm Saturday 2nd September 2006

ELEVEN more jobs are set to go as part of a hospital's cost-cutting measures.

Lewisham Hospital has already saved around £1.5m after losing 20 administrative and management posts earlier this year.

Now bosses have admitted 11 more similar posts will go in what will be the third phase of job cuts at the hospital within the past 12 months.

The hospital has also confirmed there will be even more job losses at the end of September but could not confirm the figure of how many posts may be involved.

The cuts are part of the hospital's financial recovery plan, which is aimed at reducing a deficit of £8.5m.

Lewisham Hospital is among the NHS trusts which have until April next year to get rid of their debts.

However, bosses at the hospital think it will take at least two years.

Doris Smith, who is chairman of Lewisham Pensioners' Forum, which has been pressing the hospital for information about the cuts since July, said: "We are concerned about the workforce.

"Administration is a very important part of the efficiency of the hospital, giving people the right information when they come in.

"It's detrimental to how people prepare for being in hospital."

The hospital site in Lewisham High Street will be expanding its facilities in November by opening a seven-storey Riverside block.

This will include four new theatres and a new endoscopy department.

Mrs Smith added: "With the opening of more wards in the new hospital building, how are they going to run this huge hospital with less staff? It does not add up."

A hospital spokesman said: "Lewisham Hospital is required to balance its books and to achieve this from the current level of deficit means we have to look very closely at staff numbers.

"Wherever possible, staff will be offered alternative employment although opportunities are very limited at this time.

"We are also working with other London Trusts and Lewisham Council to provide at-risk staff with a wider range of vacancies."