SHOCKED staff at Benenden Hospital have been told about 100 of them will lose their jobs in a review of services.

It is understood the hospital, owned and run by the independent charitable trust Benenden Healthcare Society, is to close at least two areas, including its children's unit. Staff were told the jobs would go with effect from January 1, 2004.

A nurse, who asked not to be named, said: "We were told 100 nurses and ancillary workers are being given the sack. Everyone is up in arms about it and can't really believe it. We were told it was something to do with cost effectiveness. Everybody is very upset."

In a statement, hospital director Ken Hesketh said the changes were in response to the findings of two strategic reviews.

He added: "The reviews were commissioned in the light of pressures to ensure the hospital continues to provide high quality care in accordance with modern clinical practice in a cost effective way, which best meets the needs of the society's one million members.

"Details relating to the changes will be developed over the next two months."