UNISON Fires Further Warning Shot Over 'Workforce Reduction' Plans At St Mary's Hospital

A public-sector union has fired a further warning shot over the Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s ‘workforce reduction’ plans at St Mary’s Hospital.

UNISON said the trust’s intentions centre around a “planned recruitment freeze” – something it added “could affect the ability of nurses, doctors and other health professionals to do their jobs”.

Last week it was revealed that around ten per cent of whole time equivalent (WTE) jobs within the trust are at-risk as part of ‘cost improvement plans’, amid NHS reforms put forward by Whitehall.

Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley (Labour) yesterday said “no front-line roles” will be cut at St Mary’s after meeting with unions and the trust last week.

He said: 

“I spoke to Unison and the trust last week, no job losses are confirmed.

“Should any be made, it will be in back-office functions, removing duplication.”

‘Workforce reduction’ is a ‘key aspect’ of the health service provider’s operating plan for 2025/26, according to its March board papers.

The trust previously said that while it understands ‘these decisions are difficult’, it needs to ‘go further’ than it did last year to ‘achieve the significant financial savings required of us’.

James Smith, UNISON south east regional organiser, said:

“The unions and senior managers met this week to discuss the trust’s intentions. These centre around a planned recruitment freeze, which is part of the trust’s overall plans to save money.

“It’s hard to imagine a world where squeezing recruitment doesn’t have an impact on patient care in some way.

“Whether it’s front-line staff or the workers supporting them, a pause on hiring could affect the ability of nurses, doctors and other health professionals to do their jobs.

"The NHS needs real investment in staff, not a cut in the number of roles.”

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has been approached for further comment.