Plans to send patients notes to...South Africa

WEST Sussex hospital workers are furious about plans to send patients' notes and letters to South Africa or India to be typed.

They have warned that the move could lead to deaths if mistakes are made and that up 70 jobs could be lost locally.

Managers at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust say the plan could save more than 1m a year, as well as clearing a backlog of typing at both the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

West Sussex patients attend both hospitals and the trust says consultation is taking place but no firm decision had been made.

"We don't believe it is in patients' interests," said Mark Sargent from public service union Unison.

He said that while the move would save the trust money, it could be at the expense of lives.

See this week's Gazette for full story.