As part of the changes, 263 full-time equivalent roles will be affected at ESNEFT and 205 roles will be affected at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.

ESNEFT said: ‘The establishment change of 449 whole time equivalent staff members, as reported in the ICB board meeting, represented a number of changes within staffing numbers which ESNEFT is anticipating in the financial year 2025/26.

‘Notably, 39 whole time equivalent staff will be transferring from ESNEFT to our external partner Sodexo. Other, smaller changes in staffing include increases in apprenticeships, the offer of substantive employment opportunities for students currently training at ESNEFT and recognition of known vacancies in harder to recruit roles.

‘As a result of all of these changes, including the transfer of some staff to our partner organisation, we have a net decrease of 229 staff in post.' 

Meanwhile, East of England Ambulance Service Trust will increase its staff numbers by 115, including 99 additional call handler and clinician roles in its emergency operation centres.