Leaked National Health Service documents outlining Buckinghamshire’s five year healthcare plan has suggested scores NHS workers could lose their jobs in a bid to plug a huge funding gap.

The draft Local Sustainability and Transformation plan has revealed £34m could be cut from the NHS’s workforce in Bucks over the next half decade, as well as Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

A shortfall of £479m across the three counties is predicted by 2020 if savings are not made - with jobs and health services set to suffer.

This comes as healthcare bosses in 44 areas across the country were ordered by the government to draw up cost-cutting strategies, change services and improve care after recording a £2.45 billion deficit.

The report outlines “significant work force challenges” due to the high cost of living and house prices in the area, a high staff turnover rate due to an ageing workforce, and high London salaries summoning staff into the city.

The draft document, which was sent to the NHS England for consideration, reads: "The proposals we are developing demonstrate how we can meet this figure through a combination of efficiency savings; delivering services in different and more cost effective ways; and tackling areas of current service provision."

Proposed job cuts are thought to be administrative roles.

“Transformational programme areas” specifically for Bucks are outlined in the report which are set to make £12 million worth of savings alone.

The areas include: “Integrating health and care services avoiding unnecessary steps in pathways to reduce waste and duplication and improve access for children and families, and rescue acute hospital utilisation through redesign of community hospital care and investment in community and primary care.”