DORSET County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust could make 200 staff redundant in a bid to deal with its debt.

DORSET County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust could make 200 staff redundant in a bid to deal with its debt.

The Trust is also reported to have put a pay freeze on all staff and reneged on nationally agreed NHS pay and conditions.

Staff representatives are calling on the Trust to stick tot heir agreed policies, which also concern redeployment and redundancy.

Members from the Royal College of Nursing, UNISON, the British Dietetic Association, the Society of Radiographers, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Unite, the Royal College of Midwives and the British Medical Association, have expressed their concerns about the Trust's proposals.

Pat Gormley, regional organiser with UNISON, warned: "The Trust is venturing into dangerous territory. The proposals mean breaking nationally agreed terms and conditions and we view this very seriously.

"I hope we can talk for as long as it takes to find a solution that satisfies both parties, but we will not let breaches of the national agreement go unchallenged."

Kathy Ibbotson, officer with the Royal College of Nursing, fears it will affect patient care.

She said: "I fear that the Trust is intent on short term measures, which will result in key staff losing their jobs. This will inevitably have a direct affect on patient care."

Richard Griffiths, industrial relations officer with the British Medical Association, said the move was creating distrust with staff representatives.

The Trust has told staff that it is currently �7.3million in deficit and this is set to rise to �16 million in two years.