BOSSES insisted staffing cuts are “not being talked about” as the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals aim to save £131 million over the next five years.

Fears were raised last week that East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust will have to cut hundreds of jobs to balance its budget, of which two-thirds is spent on staff.

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When asked at a trust meeting if he foresaw a reduction to the trust’s permanent workforce, chief executive Kevin McGee said he “wouldn’t want to give any commitment about any particular post”, but said the organisation is investing in staff and would look to reduce its outlay on expensive agency workers instead.