Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to axe 30 cleaner jobs
The redundancy plans have worried families who lost loved ones at the hospital 20 years ago. At least 90 patients died at Maidstone Hospital between 2004 and 2006 in a C.difficile outbreak. Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea and can spread quickly in hospitals. A report into the deaths cited a lack of cleanliness as a contributing factor to the outbreak.One family member who's mother-in-law died during the C.Diff outbreak, told the BBC that cleaners were "vital" to maintain safety standards and to make them redundant was "scandalous".
UNISON regional manager Ryan Slaughter said: "Hospitals need more staff, not fewer workers, if delays and waits are to end."Cutting jobs and services will mean patients will have to wait longer to be seen and make staffing levels less safe.He added that ministers needed to deal with the "recruitment and retention crisis in the health service".
A spokesperson for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said: "We are currently reviewing services across the Trust in line with a national focus on treating more patients, improving efficiencies and ensuring long-term sustainability. During this period, our priority remains the delivery of high quality care to the communities we serve and supporting our staff."
Hundreds of NHS workers across the south east are facing uncertainty over their jobs because of a planned reorganisation.The government announced in March it wanted integrated care boards (ICBs) to halve their running costs. ICB's are NHS organisations responsible for planning health services for their local population.The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said the changes were part of a transformation plan to "tackle inefficiencies and drive up productivity in the NHS".
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The Sun
10 minutes ago
- The Sun
Doctors dismissed my symptoms as IBS 3 times before giving me 6 months to live – surgery left me ‘gutted like a fish'
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Back with a vengeance But only three months later, Austin went back for another scan only to find that actually, the cancer was back with a vengeance - and it had spread. Another surgery was scheduled, but as it was during the Covid pandemic, the night before the operation Austin was called to say there were no beds for him. He was then advised in order to undergo surgery quickly, he'd have to pay for it privately, and that it would cost £51,000. Fortunately, his family helped him raise the money in 24 hours. "I went and had the surgery with two surgeons," said Austin. 'It took five and a half hours, and when I came around, I remember the one surgeon saying to me, 'how do you feel?' 'I said, 'a bit sore', because I'd had about sixty odd stitches. 'The surgeon said 'yes, well, you've been gutted like a fish! The surgery went well - I'll shake you by the hand.' 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The Guardian
10 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Patients in England: have you had treatment cancelled or postponed due to the planned resident doctors strike?
Resident doctors in England are set to go on strike on Friday demanding a 29% pay rise that they say would restore salaries that have been eroded over the past decade. The industrial action is due to take place from 7am on 25 July to 7am on 30 July. We would like to hear how patients are being affected by the planned strike. Have you had medical treatment such as appointment or surgery cancelled or postponed? How do you feel about the strike? You can tell us if you are a patient and have been affected by the planned strikes by filling in the form below, or messaging us. Please include as much detail as possible. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first. Contact us on WhatsApp at +447766780300. For more information, please see our guidance on contacting us via WhatsApp. For true anonymity please use our SecureDrop service instead.
Rhyl Journal
14 minutes ago
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