Union to fight hospital job cuts

Staff at the Queen's Medical Centre would be affected by the changes

Union officials have announced plans to fight the loss of nearly 1,200 jobs and 186 beds after the merger of two Nottingham hospitals.

Public sector workers' union Unison has joined forces with the Royal College of Nursing in a campaign to halt the cuts.

Unison say the changes could affect patient care at the City Hospital and the Queen's Medical Centre.

The hospital said providing patients with the best possible care is the hospital trust's overriding goal.

'Public concern'

The trust also said it was working hard to minimise any compulsory redundancies.

Staff consultation on the changes, which will affect consultants, nurses, clerical staff and management, ended on Monday.

Mike Young from Unison, said the changes will worry members of the public.

"When they realise it will be a longer waiting list for beds, longer waiting times for appointments, less opportunity to see doctors and consultants - they'll be seriously concerned about the impact," he said.

Unison has called a meeting of its members on Wednesday to draw up a plan of action to fight the cuts.