Union may strike over health jobs

A public sector union has threatened to call a strike if jobs cuts in the Health Service are forced through.

More than 700 nursing posts are under threat in Northern Ireland as part of wider plans to cut almost 2,500 health service jobs over the next three years.

Catherine Harte from Unison said patient care could not suffer.

"Any attempt to move ahead with the cuts to frontline jobs and services will be met with strong resistance from UNISON, including industrial action."

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said he wants to make savings of £344m in line with Stormont efficiency plans.

Mr McGimpsey said staff cuts were inevitable if services were to be saved.

"We have to get more efficient because if we don't do that we will eventually run out of money."

Nine hundred administrative posts and 450 social services positions are also under threat.

The proposals were discussed by the Stormont health committee on Thursday. Each health trust will carry out consultations before a final decision is made early next year.

"I am charged with finding this, I have no choice," said Mr McGimpsey.

"This is a decision that has been made by the executive, it applies to all departments and it applies equally to the Department of Health.

"That's not easy. There are tough choices here."

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said it was "deeply concerned that patient care will suffer".

Mr McGimpsey said in many cases people could be cared for in their homes or communities, rather than hospitals.

"I am confident that, should there be any reduction in posts, these can be achieved without compulsory redundancies," he said.

RCN Northern Ireland Director Mary Hinds said the efficiency targets were "intended to release funding for re-investment in frontline services but you cannot get any more frontline than nurses".

"Should this plan be implemented, we are very worried, not only about the nurses who may lose their jobs, but also for those left behind who will inevitably be under even greater pressure," she said.