ALMOST 200 NHS jobs in Barnsley will be axed putting a ‘massive strain’ on health care in the town, unions have warned.

The drastic cuts were announced by Barnsley Hospital and NHS Barnsley on Wednesday as part of the Government’s plan to improve efficiency.

Doctors and nurses will be among the 156 staff that could go as part of plans to save £8m from this year’s hospital trust’s budget.

An estimated 35 posts will also go in the primary care trust, which provides GPs, dentists and runs Kendray and Mount Vernon hospitals.

• Full story in this week's Chronicle.