The chief executive of University Hospital Southampton has revealed the trust will be cutting almost 800 roles to save £110 million.

The measures will hit 620 permanent roles and 165 temporary workers - as the trust aims to cut about 785 full-time roles in "mostly" non-clinical areas.

Bosses hope a significant amount of the posts will be removed by not replacing staff when they leave.

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David French, chief executive officer at UHS, said: “We are taking the steps necessary to respond to a requirement for all NHS Trusts to deliver the national priorities of reducing waiting lists, providing safe and effective emergency care and living within our financial means.

“This move is designed to streamline how we work within our hospitals, and with other NHS service providers in the region, to better meet patient needs with the resources available to us.

“However, the cost-saving target we have been given is significant and requires us to reduce our workforce by 785 full-time equivalent roles, mostly in non-clinical posts."

Previously, the trust confirmed to the Daily Echo that it would be making a 10 per cent cut to its corporate support services, which include plumbers, porters, electricians, gardeners, finance, communications, HR, and tech staff.

The trust had a £1.3 billion turnover in 2023/24 and runs Southampton General, Princess Anne, and Royal South Hants hospitals.

This announcement follows news that the NHS in Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight would also be making 800 cuts to non-clinical roles.

It is understood that the Government has asked all NHS trusts to reduce the "cost of their support functions to April 2022 levels".

READ MORE: University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust confirms role cuts

Mr French added: “We are working hard to minimise the impact on our staff and patients, and we expect to achieve most of this workforce reduction through natural attrition, with controls in place around the replacement of staff leaving our trust.

"We will prioritise voluntary options and internal redeployment wherever possible.  

"We are also working with NHS partners across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to manage vacancies collectively, protect jobs and help keep talent within the NHS, whilst achieving the financial savings required

“These are challenging times for UHS and the wider NHS, but the measures we are taking are necessary to deliver what is expected of us. 

“During this time, we will support our staff and ensure that the decisions we make are underpinned by our core purpose, which is to provide outstanding care for patients.”