Trust shortfall forces job cuts

Up to 40 jobs are to go at a mental health trust trying to tackle a multi-million pound deficit.

Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Trust has a £5m funding shortfall for the current financial year.

It has already reduced the number of temporary staff it uses, but needs to make further cuts.

Executive director of the trust, Paul Thain, said it hoped to minimise compulsory redundancies by re-deploying affected staff.

Pay and display

"The people that buy our services themselves had difficulties in balancing their books," said Mr Thain.

"That results in them being unable to buy the level of services that they've previously been able to afford.

"This means we've had to cut back, which has resulted in this sad situation."

The trust is also planning to merge telecommunications and IT support services, and is considering a pay and display car parking scheme for visitors and staff at its sites in Norfolk and North Suffolk.