5:24pm UK, Wednesday April 26, 2006

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has been told by angry medical workers that "enough is enough".

To loud applause, a Royal College of Nursing delegate at the Bournemouth conference gave the warning as Ms Hewitt was given her second public roasting of the week by health workers.

180 GRAB patricia hewitt bournemouth conference

Patricia Hewitt

Jeers, catcalls and a slow handclap punctuated Ms Hewitt's 10-minute address explaining how the reforms have led to job cuts and throughout her series of answers to questions from the floor.

A health secretary has never been given so rough a ride by nurses' representatives, according to the RCN president.
 
Sylvia Denton said: "I've been coming to congress for the last 26 years and I don't think I have ever seen a reception like that but I think this is a symptom of nurses not being listened to and not feeling they are being listened to.

Ms Hewitt's appearance in Bournemouth came on the day when two more hospitals announced the axe will fall on more than 500 jobs because of financial problems.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital may shed 450 jobs over the next 12 months as it tries to manage a "hugely challenging" deficit, managers said.

In Weston-super-Mare, the Weston General Hospital will axe 60 jobs and close 56 beds to rein in a £6m overspend.