Staff at a private hospital have been told their jobs are at risk as part of a healthcare company’s major overhaul of its operations nationwide.

Spire Healthcare, which runs Spire Alexandra in Walderslade, near Chatham, is making some clinical and non-clinical roles redundant as it centralises its administration sector and relies on more bank staff.

A total of 400 jobs will be axed across the country, which represents about 2.5 per cent of Spire’s total workforce covering 39 hospitals.

A spokesman said while the consultation process has started, it was unable to confirm how many jobs will be impacted at the Medway site.

Justin Ash, chief executive, said: “Transforming our business to deliver ever more safe and efficient care is central to how we run great hospitals, develop new services and deliver strong financial performance that allows us to invest in the future.

“The proposals we have shared today will help us be more consistent and effective in the way we set ourselves up to deliver outstanding, personalised care and service for our patients, payors and consultants.

“Decisions involving our colleagues are not ones we take lightly, but they are necessary to ensure our hospitals are consistently set up to deliver high-quality care with the flexibility and responsiveness needed for the future.“

Decisions involving our colleagues are not ones we take lightly

Mr Ash added the company was “fully committed to clear and open communication, fair consultation and support” for all affected by the decision.

The hospital, which caters for both private and NHS patients, offers a wide range of treatments, tests and scans.

Apart from general surgery, it also provides hip and knee replacements, cataract removal, breast screening, and physiotherapy.

There are two wards, two theatres, an outpatient department and an on-site pharmacy.

There are two wards with 32 beds and an outpatient department with 13 consulting rooms and two treatment rooms.