Key facts
- East London foundation trust (ELFT) plans to cut £25m to balance its books.
- The trust intends to eliminate 330 jobs through redundancies and post removals.
- Services for under-18s, adults needing psychological treatment, and those in crisis are expected to be affected.
- Fothergill ward, an intermediate care ward, is set to close on September 21.
- The cuts are mandated by NHS England's requirement for all trusts to balance their finances.
The East London foundation trust (ELFT) is planning substantial cuts to its services and workforce, aiming to reduce its deficit by £25 million. These measures, which include the potential loss of 330 jobs, are a response to NHS England's directive for all trusts to balance their budgets. The proposed cuts encompass at least 10 key services, including those for children, adolescents, adults in crisis, and addiction support, raising concerns about increased waiting times and the potential for patients to seek private care.
Unite, a trade union representing some of the trust's staff, has condemned the plans, warning of "exponentially greater costs to the public purse" and "lives being destroyed" due to longer waits for critical mental health care. The union is preparing to ballot its members for strike action. Labour MP Apsana Begum has formally expressed her concerns to ELFT's chief executive, questioning the lack of a thorough risk assessment and the potential impact on public health, safety, and health equalities, particularly noting the limited consultation on the proposed changes.
Campaign group Keep Our NHS Public highlighted the contradiction of ELFT making deep cuts while the Department of Health and NHS England allocate significant funds to private firms for treating NHS patients. ELFT stated that the proposed savings are indicative and at an early stage, with no cuts to be implemented without a quality impact assessment. A spokesperson emphasized the trust's responsibility to operate within its means while prioritizing high-quality, safe care and collaborating with unions and partners to find sustainable efficiencies.