Trust unveils cost savings plan

The trust said it was one of the most successful in England

The NHS trust which runs two hospitals in Wirral has revealed plans to reduce its costs by more than £21m, which it claims will improve patient care.

Wirral Hospitals NHS Trust wants to close four wards, redeploy 150 staff and centralise elderly care services on one site at Arrowe Park Hospital.

But hospital chiefs promised there would be no compulsory redundancies and revealed 50 jobs would also be created.

The trust said the five-year plan would help it spend money more efficiently.

Last month the trust, which runs Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals, revealed a five-point plan to reduce a projected overspend of £6m.

Over the last 10 years we have become one of the most successful NHS trusts in the country Frank Burns, chief executive

It said the latest proposals would help it to reduce overall costs in the next five years while ensuring it continues to deliver high quality, affordable services for patients.

Frank Burns, Chief Executive, said: "The NHS has to find ways to spend the money available more efficiently without affecting the quality of care it provides."

"Over the last 10 years we have become one of the most successful NHS trusts in the country."

But he said the way the trust provided services cost more than the money it was expecting to receive in the next five years.

"Remaining as we are is therefore not an option. We have to respond to this challenge in a carefully considered way," he added.

The trust plans to develop its proposals further in the coming weeks and work closely with staff and partner organisations to discuss the plans.