STAFF AT THE Kingsbridge Private Hospital in County Sligo have been told that more than 30 jobs are potentially at risk as part of an initial voluntary redundancy process. 

It comes as the hospital is transitioning to a day service model of care, and scaling back inpatient services. 

It’s expected that roles impacted will include nurses, healthcare staff and administrators, and that potentially half of the hospital’s workforce could be let go, depending on the outcome of negotiations.

Staff were informed of the upcoming redundancies at a meeting last Thursday, and one staff member said the announcement came as a “devastating shock” to the workforce.

They added that staff are worried about the potential impact on patients, healthcare provision in the area, and employment in the community.

However, a spokesperson for the healthcare group who run the hospital has said that it is committed to retraining staff for roles in what will be an “upgraded facility” going forward.

Currently, the hospital has 19 inpatient rooms and offers treatment across a range of surgical and medical specialities.

Inpatient services are offered to patients in recovery post-surgery.

Staff were told that the hospital is shifting to an ambulatory service, which will focus on outpatient consultations and day-case surgeries.

A spokesperson for the Kingsbridge Healthcare Group told The Journal that following a strategic review it will be implementing a “new service model” and “investing in the future” of the hospital.

“As part of this transition to a new care model, a number of roles may be impacted. The company is engaging directly with those affected and is committed to exploring retraining and redeployment opportunities at the upgraded facility,” they added.

Kingsbridge is a leading private healthcare operator in the north and south with facilities in Sligo, Belfast and Derry.