Health union warns of Leeds NHS job cuts despite government pledge

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is aware of almost 10,000 posts that have been lost through recruitment freezes, redundancies and people not replaced when they retire, or which face cuts in the future.

This is double the figure reported two months ago, although the RCN has now gathered details from more trusts.

In April, the RCN warned at least 5,600 posts had been lost or were earmarked for cuts, based on data from 26 trusts in England. Now it says figures from 100 NHS organisations in England show 9,973 posts have gone, been frozen, or will go.

Wednesday's RCN document shows how Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, among others, has listed 677 posts for cuts.

Howard Catton, head of policy at the RCN, said this was a "conservative figure" based on the lowest estimates from trusts of what has happened or will happen over the next two years. The union pointed to a "growing gulf" between government promises to protect frontline services and "short-sighted" cuts happening in trusts.

Ministers have told the NHS to find between 15 and 20 billion in efficiency savings by 2014 but Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has promised to protect frontline services.

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the RCN, said the latest job figures did not bode well for the future and "logic would suggest" the number of posts under threat is actually higher.

It is unclear how many of the posts will be compulsory redundancies, and how many frontline clinical staff - including doctors and nurses - will go. The RCN believes specialist services - such as mental health, end-of-life care and children's respite facilities - face being cut or decommissioned.

Health minister Anne Milton said: "I understand the RCN's frustration and concern. Many trusts are living in the past and interpreting efficiency savings as budget and service cuts. This is wrong. It is about doing more for less. The efficiency gains will then allow us to reinvest in clinical care to meet rising demand and improving outcomes."