Date: Thursday 3 June 2010

UNISON concerned over deep job cuts in NHS Scotland

UNISON, the biggest Scottish health union, has expressed concern over deep job cuts planned by health boards across Scotland.

The boards have submitted their plans to Cabinet Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon who now intends to publish the full cuts. UNISON welcomes the publication of workforce projections and the establishment of a new partnership group with the trade unions to scrutinise the workforce plans.

Tam Waterson, Chair of UNISON Scotland’s Health Committee said:
“We are concerned at the scale of these planned job cuts. The Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure no compulsory redundancies is welcome, as is the involvement of unions in scrutiny of the health board plans. But it is clear that we face deep cuts which will impact on our vital health services.”

1250 job cuts are planned for Greater Glasgow and Clyde this year, 700 in Lothian – with another 1,300 in the pipeline for next year. Tayside plans to 500 full time equivalent jobs. Grampian has announced 600 job cuts, and Highland plans to cut 100.

NHS Scotland requires to save £270 million in the current financial year to balance the books following a tight Scottish budget settlement in February.

Meanwhile the health service faces rising inflation and increased demand.

Further pressure on funding is likely after the new coalition government at Westminster implements its emergency budget in June. The severe cuts expected in the deficit reduction plan will have inevitable knock-on effects in Scotland over the next few years.

ends

For Further Information Please Contact:
Dave Watson, Scottish Organiser 07958 122 409 (m)
Glyn Hawker, Scottish Organiser - Bargaining & Equal Pay 07876 441 237 (m)
John Gallacher, Lead Organiser for Health 07904 342 426 (m)
Tam Waterson, Chair UNISON Scotland Health Committee 07753 627575 (m)
Malcolm Burns, Communications Officer 0141 342 2877 (o) 07958 063 182 (m)
Fiona Montgomery, Communications Officer 0141 342 2877 (o) 07908 672 890(m)

Stay in touch with UNISON Scotland's latest news releases on our website http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/news/index.html and frequent updates on our blog http://unison-scotland.blogspot.com/

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