45 care nurse jobs to go to save £1.2m in Hampshire

THEY are among Hampshire’s most vulnerable residents who rely on the expert care of some of the county’s expert nurses.

But now it is feared that their care may be under threat by a plan by nursing home bosses to save cash.

Forty-five staff nurse posts in 23 residential and nursing homes will go under county council plans to save £1.2m.

Unions and nurses have warned the cuts will hit care of the elderly residents, many of whom have dementia and require help with washing, dressing and eating.

But county bosses say senior nurses are not directly involved in patient care and the homes will continue to run safely.

It comes less than a week after hospitals, including Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, have been severely criticised for neglecting older patients.

Currently each council-run nursing home has a manager and two staff nurse deputies, as well as nurses and healthcare assistants.

Over the next year, a total of 90 jobs could go in a shake-up of staffing.