Devon hospital trust asks staff to consider voluntary redundancy under major financial recovery plan

Sam Blackledge reports on planned voluntary redundancies at Devon's hospital trust

The health trust which runs Devon's largest hospital is asking staff to consider voluntary redundancy, saying it is facing a "significant financial crisis" which, if not addressed, could put patients at risk.

Last week South Devon’s MPs called on the Health Secretary to act after the "distressing" news that Torbay Hospital is offering staff redundancy packages.

Now, ITV West Country understands the Royal Devon University Trust is doing the same, having revealed it is failing to meet several performance targets and overspending on staff costs.An internal memo shows the trust is worried its workforce is growing at an "unsustainable rate" and it is looking to reduce staff numbers by 400.

Staff have been told: "We must take decisive and bold action now to break the cycle to protect patient care.

"If we are not financially viable, we will be unable to make the right investments for the future, and the quality, safety and experience of care we are able to offer to the 620,000 people we serve will suffer."The trust has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme, in the hope of shedding 400 jobs.

Steve Pulsford, head of operations at the South West branch of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "Staff in the NHS have faced challenge after challenge for more than a decade.

"This does have an increasing effect on them. They're seeing the impact on patients in their communities, which they serve. It's got a really, really significant impact on their morale at work as well."The trust is now officially in "turnaround" mode, meaning everything will be reviewed to get the budget back on course.That means saving five per cent of the budget every year for the next three years.A spokesman for the trust said: "Like many other trusts across Devon, the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme.

"The trust is facing significant financial challenges and is implementing a robust three-year recovery plan to restore financial stability, transform services and modernise care to make sure that we can deliver sustainable clinical services for our patients.

"The trust is seeking to voluntarily reduce staff numbers by 400. While the scheme is open to all colleagues, all applications will be assessed to ensure there is no impact on patient safety or operational delivery as we remain focused on ensuring patient safety and continuing to deliver compassionate, high-quality care for all."

A spokesman for Healthwatch Devon said: "From what we’ve been told, the voluntary redundancy scheme is one of a number of steps being taken across Devon to respond to ongoing financial pressures.

"It’s time-limited and entirely voluntary, with applications assessed to make sure patient safety and services aren’t affected.

"More broadly, we recognise the system has been working to manage a significant financial challenge over recent years, with a focus on efficiencies, new ways of working and service improvements.

"At this stage, we haven’t seen any clear or widespread impact on patient experience linked to these developments, but we’ll keep this under close review."