Exclusive:John Swinney's jobs uncertainty 'damaging the NHS'

Unison Scotland said the First Minister’s inability to say whether people will be made redundant as part of his plans to axe health boards is “causing anger and frustration throughout the NHS”.

They also accused Mr Swinney of “hiding behind reform” and claimed that “this is about cutting jobs and millions of pounds from the health budget.”

The First Minister said yesterday that he “can’t put a specific number” on how many jobs could be lost as part of the plans to slash the number of health boards in Scotland from 14 to two. He declined to say how many people would be made redundant - despite being asked three times.

Read more: John Swinney 'can't put specific figure' on job cuts from axing NHS health boards

Unison Scotland head of health Matt McLaughlin said: "John Swinney needs to come clean about job losses. It's causing anger and frustration throughout the NHS and the uncertainty is damaging services.

"The first minister is hiding behind reform when we all know this is about cutting jobs and millions of pounds from the health budget.

"NHS staff are already stretched and social care is in crisis. Under his government NHS waiting lists have grown to their highest level since devolution.

“The NHS needs investment in preventative and primary care as well as our hospitals.

"We have yet to have any meaningful conversation about how cutting health boards to two increases capacity in the health service, how many more porters, nurses, social carers or ward clerks it will bring?"

The First Minister confirmed at his Programme for Government on Tuesday that he planned to cut the number of health boards from 14 to two.

The existing boards are set to be merged into one of the east and one of the west. There will be separate plans for the three island groups.

Mr Swinney said the move was "the most significant structural reform of our NHS in the devolution era".

Read more: Reform deputy Scottish leader condemns violence against protester at party conference

But when quizzed about it yesterday on the BBC, he avoided saying how many jobs would be cut.

Mr Swinney said: “The most important thing about the Programme for Government is that we focus on the fact that there is a real focus on the economy and strengthening the economy within Scotland, and that's about boosting the revenues and resources that are available for us to deliver and to deploy on public services.

“But what goes with that is the necessity for reform to make sure that we improve the public services that are delivering for people in communities and delivering the improvements that will deliver the substantial enhancements of the way in which individuals experience our public services.

“Now, of course, there will be change that comes out of that programme, and the government will work with communities, with public authorities, to deliver on that over the course of the parliamentary term.”

When pushed about how many NHS jobs will be lost, Mr Swinney said: “I’ve been very open about the fact that I think public sector employment will fall over the course of this parliamentary term. But fundamentally, we have to deliver public services in communities with members of the public and in support of their needs.

“That will require public servants, the length and breadth of the country, to be delivering health and social care services.

“In all of that, we will make sure that there is appropriate and effective provision right across the country.

“There will be substantial public service employment as a consequence, but fundamentally, public services will be built around the needs of individuals to a much greater extent in the future than has been possible in the past.”

When asked a third time about how many jobs will be slashed, Mr Swinney said: “I can't put a specific figure on that today, and I simply wouldn't be giving a comprehensive answer if that was the case.

“What we've got to work our way through is a program of reform to make sure that we put people right at the very centre of the delivery of public services, so that they can see the enhancement in the provision of those services in their localities.

“And that will apply through all of the public service reform that we take forward, from the point of principle that services must improve for individuals, and we will ensure that Scotland is rewired, that public services are reimagined to make sure that we deliver on public expectations in the years to come.”

The axing of health boards would be the biggest NHS shake-up for 50 years.

It comes as Scottish Government seeks to fill a £5 billion budget black hole which is looming in the next few years.

Labour urged the SNP to “come clean” about how many jobs are at risk.

Scottish Labour acting leader Jackie Baillie said: “It’s hard to tell whether John Swinney is being evasive or simply has no idea what he is going to do, but either way it’s not good enough.

“People’s jobs are on the line and our public services could be plunged into chaos – Scotland deserves to know what lies ahead.

“SNP chaos has done enough damage to our services and our finances already.

“The SNP must come clean about what it is planning, how many jobs are at risk and what it will mean for our public services.”

Scottish Conservatives finance and social security spokesman Craig Hoy MSP said: “John Swinney was asked a basic question about his own plans and repeatedly refused to answer it.

“He cannot say how many NHS jobs could be lost yet expects Scots to believe he has a grip on the SNP’s £5 billion budget black hole.

“This is a First Minister completely out of his depth, trying to bluff his way through the mounting financial chaos his party has created.

“After 19 years of SNP government, they still cannot bring themselves to make the difficult decisions needed to get spending under control.

“Scots don’t need more waffle, gimmicks and empty promises from John Swinney – they need a First Minister who can actually balance the books and deliver for hardworking taxpayers.”

Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “The plans for NHS reform will benefit patients and service users by simplifying decision-making, accountability and governance in our NHS.

“It will allow us to more easily expand the use of digital innovation, undertake appropriate care in communities first and reduce the variability of delivery that patients often experience.

“We highly value our NHS workforce who receive the best reward package in the UK, as testament to the vital contribution they make. The First Minister has been clear that the Scottish Government’s commitment to the principles of Fair Work will be upheld during this reform process, including our policy on no compulsory redundancies.

“Development of detailed proposals, supported by a full business case, will include engagement with NHS Boards, staff, trade unions, local government, Integration Authorities, social care partners and the public.”