Durham: Voluntary pay-off for NHS staff

More than 5,000 workers from five County Durham hospitals have been asked if they want to leave their jobs, reports the BBC.

One of the hospitals is Bishop Auckland Hospital, recently dogged by controversy with ward closures and cuts in services.

Claims have also been made that patients are being moved during the night because of bed shortages.

The Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said the move was part of a constant review.

The other four hospitals operating under the trust are the University Hospital of North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital and two community hospitals in Chester-le-Street and Shotley Bridge.

David Fryer from the Save Bishop Auckland Hospital campaign said: "We're really very concerned indeed. I think there are now clear financial and bed management problems with this hospital.

"We have already lost wards. We have now lost services and clearly we are now going to lose yet more staff."

The Durham and Darlington trust would not say how many staff they expect to apply or whether compulsory job losses would eventually be considered.