AROUND 160 jobs are likely to go at Medway Maritime Hospital at Gillingham this year as bosses seek to make economies.

Set against a total workforce of 3,500, the level of redundancies is considered to be small, if compared with those faced by other NHS trusts.

Chief executive Andy Horne said it was hoped to avoid compulsory redundancies. Some staff would not be replaced when they left, and some existing vacancies would not be filled.

Savings of six per cent of its turnover have been imposed on the hospital by the Department of Health, as a means of driving forward efficiency. The trust will also seek to pay back the overspend of £950,000 or so, predicted for the current financial year.

"Many of the job losses will be in management and administrative roles," said Mr Horne. "But they could come from any part of the hospital.

"We shall also make savings by more efficient use of technology, which can have a beneficial effect on patient care.

"Our aim is to achieve these costs savings, while at the same time delivering an even better service for our patients."