Suffolk, Essex Hospital Trusts Cut 468 Jobs

The NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE ICB) has approved a plan to cut 468 jobs across two hospital trusts, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) and West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT), representing a reduction of approximately 3% of their combined workforce. The cuts include 263 positions at ESNEFT and 205 at WSFT, primarily affecting permanent staff. Chief Executive Ed Garratt emphasized that staffing levels are not a direct indicator of productivity and that the NHS is currently less productive than pre-pandemic levels despite having more staff. Union representatives have criticized the cuts, warning they will exacerbate existing pressures on remaining staff and impede patient care. Contrarily, ESNEFT's chief executive challenged the job loss figures, suggesting many positions are currently vacant and that some staff are transitioning to a private contractor. The cuts are part of a broader operational plan that each Integrated Care Board must submit to the government.