ALMOST 30 nursing and support staff are to be cut in a major reorganisation of a Merseyside hospital, to save almost £40m over the next three years.

Staff at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Arrowe Park hospital, are being briefed on the plans.

The full effect of the changes will reduce the existing total number of inpatient medical beds and beds for elderly patients – the equivalent of two wards – as the medical division seeks to save £10m over the next three years.

A briefing pack for staff said: “Due to the magnitude of the cost improvement plan, it is acknowledged a traditional approach alone will not meet the scale of the savings required.”

The briefing said the entire trust, which has a budget of £265m this year, has to meet “cost reduction targets” of £13.75m this year, followed by savings of £12.5m in the next two years.

Trust chief executive Len Richards said: “Although for some people the prospect of a reduction in beds is alarming, they should be assured this will not reduce the range or standard of care and treatment we offer.”

The changes will see a new stroke clinic and streamlined care for cardiology and respiratory care.