NHS Highland announced yesterday (Friday) that is is to shed 100 jobs, 70 from management and administration and the rest from nursing staff – but  the board claims that services will not suffer.

NHS Highland Chief Executive Roger Gibbins said: “Despite this planned reduction in our workforce patients will still see waiting times fall and the quality of services improve. Right across the NHS we are innovating to ensure our services are as safe, effective and efficient as possible so we can get the best value for precious health resources. This means working differently but protecting outcomes for patients.”

NHS Highland’s Employee Director Ray Stewart said: “The NHS still offers its staff unrivalled security of employment. People whose role changes or who are offered alternative employment are offered training to ensure they have the appropriate skills to do that job. The unions will support all members who are going through a process of change and continue to work with NHS Highland in implementing Service Redesign in a careful, planned way.

NHS  Highland says it has a turnover of between 8 and 10 per cent and with over 500 posts becoming vacant in any one year, it is anticipated that these reductions can be achieved by natural turnover.

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