STAFF at a Felixstowe hospital earmarked for closure have today been handed cards advising them where to find new jobs - months before a final decision is made.

STAFF at a Felixstowe hospital earmarked for closure have today been handed cards advising them where to find new jobs - months before a final decision is made.

Campaigners claimed the situation was “disgraceful” and pre-judging the outcome of a three-month consultation currently taking place over whether the Bartlet should be axed.

It was feared quality workers would be lured away to other jobs at a time when the convalescent and rehabilitation unit is already facing staff shortages and make its future even less certain.

But health bosses said they were simply trying to support staff by supplying them with the information.

Roy Gray, chairman of the Save Our Felixstowe Hospitals Action Group, said: “I think it is disgraceful and we want to know more about this at once.

“It is completely wrong and is pre-judging the situation and the result of the consultation.

“These cards could be leading staff to move on or think about new jobs and we don't want anything that causes us to lose high quality staff from the Bartlet.

“This is a very sensitive and difficult time for staff anyway. They fear the Bartlet is going to close and some could lose their jobs if it does or have to be located elsewhere.

“At this point in time, everything should be running as normal while the consultation takes place because no decisions have been made.

“We are trying to save the Bartlet and if the consultation means anything and the public say they want it kept, then it should be.”

The plastic cards staff have been given say “Help with job hunting in the NHS” and on the back list details of sources for finding health service jobs including web sites.

Jeremy Peters, spokesman for Suffolk East Primary Care Trusts, said staff were valued and the PCT was supporting them through potential changes to services.

“It would not be prudent to wait until consultation is over before preparing people for potential changes in their roles. We are not pre-empting the outcome of the consultation but some staff are finding the current situation stressful and some have indicated that this kind of information would be useful,” he said.

Efforts were being made to help staff find new posts within the NHS locally.

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WEBLINKS: www.suffolkcoastal-pct.nhs.uk

www.suffolkeast.nhs.uk