What: The Unite Cambridge Medical branch demonstrating against job cuts

 When: Wednesday 4 June between 12.30 and 13.30

 Where: The roundabout in Hills Road, close to the main entrance of Addenbrooke's Hospital, CB2 0QQ

Unite members at Cambridge University Hospitals will demonstrate against job cuts in the region this Wednesday (4 June).

There are over 500 jobs at risk, mainly at Addenbrooke's Hospital which is the largest in the area. Roles up for redundancy include those working in ‘support functions’ such as porters, estate workers such as maintenance staff, plumbers and engineers and those in administrative and clerical roles.

The cuts come after a mandate from NHS England earlier this year, which said that spending on support functions in NHS trusts must return to April 2022 levels.

Unite is concerned about the blunt approach that means these cost savings should be concluded before November 2025, regardless of their impact. Similar cuts to integrated care systems were found recently to have not had an adequate impact assessment.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "These huge cuts across NHS trusts in Cambridgeshire are a blunt tool that risks damaging patient care, quality and waiting times.

"Unite stands firmly against these cuts. The members demonstrating have our full support."

Staff at Addenbrooke's are concerned that losing these support roles will leave already-stretched workers having to take on more day to day as well as impacting patient care as those in clinical services will have more of their time taken up by doing administrative and clerical tasks.

Unite lead rep at Addenbrooke's Craig Jamieson said: "My role in clinical engineering is at risk and it is very worrying. Everybody you speak to at the hospital is very concerned and anxious about what will happen.

"Already, many of my colleagues work unpaid overtime, and stress and mental health problems are major reasons why staff go off sick. If these cuts are pushed through, I only see that getting worse."

In Cambridge it is expected that the local population will grow by 18 per cent by 2041. Therefore, cuts of nearly 5 per cent of the workforce, as well as reductions in overtime do not appear to be logical.

Unite regional officer Richard Gates said: "These cuts go completely against the grain of the government’s commitment to invest in the NHS.

"Not only is it devastating news for those who will potentially lose their jobs, but also for those left who will no doubt be expected to pick up this extra work, at a time when they are already maxed out.

"Unite will fight these cuts every step of the way. This demonstration is only the beginning."

ENDS

Notes to editors

Press are invited to attend the demonstration and interview Unite representatives

For media enquires ONLY contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org