312 people seek redundancy as part of Suffolk NHS mergers

A total of 312 people have “expressed interest” in a scheme set up NHS England in November after it was revealed ICBs in the East of England will be streamlined into three new services, with Suffolk incorporated into the proposed Norfolk and Suffolk ICB.

UNISON Eastern regional organiser Rad Kerrigan said the proposals mean hundreds of staff are taking their skills and experience “out of the NHS because of shambolic orders from Westminster”.

Of the hundreds of applications, 126 were from staff at the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB (SNEE ICB) and 186 employees from the NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB.

According to the agenda for the next meeting of the Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, 289 applications were approved and 23 were rejected.

A total of seven panels were held in order to determine the applications.

Staff were informed of the outcome of those panels on Monday, January 12, with appeals able to be made up until Tuesday, January 27.

Board papers in November set out out that the body was required to reduce running costs from £34 per head of the population it covers to £19 per head.

“Hundreds of staff are now taking their skills and experience out of the NHS because of shambolic orders from Westminster,” said Mr Kerrigan.

“It’s no wonder so many want to leave after months of uncertainty during which their work has been derided as bureaucracy.

“It remains to be seen how the new structures will pan out, but they’re being hobbled from the start by the sheer volume of cuts that the government is demanding from integrated care boards.”

More than 500 jobs were put at risk as part of the mergers.

Final structures are due to be shared with staff in February.

The new ICBs are due to come into effect on Wednesday, April 1.

Amanda Lyes, executive director of People and Workforce, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “Over the coming weeks the consultation feedback will be carefully considered and we will be sharing outcomes with our staff and stakeholders as soon as practicable.

 “This is a challenging time for all colleagues working in the ICB and I continue to be impressed with their high levels of professionalism, and offer my thanks for their continued hard work.”