Unions said Paul Roberts was "incapable" of solving the problems

Unions said they wanted Paul Roberts to step down over plans to cut up to 400 jobs at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital.

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust is trying to make savings of about �25m to balance its books.

The trust board said it understood staff concerns, but added the hospital was working hard not to cut jobs.

We will redouble our efforts to communicate better with staff Prof John Bull Board

At the beginning of August, the trust announced the number of posts being cut had doubled from 200 to 400, although managers said only about 100 of these were likely to be compulsory redundancies.

Staff have also been told that some hospital wards will be closed.

The unions' call for Mr Roberts to leave followed a meeting at the hospital on Thursday attended by members of the GMB, Unison and the Royal College of Nursing.

An estimated 400 members attended the meeting to discuss whether the proposed savings would adversely affecting patient care.

Staff said they were going to fight for their patients and fight for their jobs, adding they thought Mr Roberts was "incapable of getting us out of the situation".

Staff said they were going to fight for their patients and jobs

Board Chairman Prof John Bull said the message from the union meeting was a "disappointing one".

He said: "I do recognise that staff feel concerned and, in some cases, confused and angry. This is a message we have received loud and clear."

He said the board had "absolute confidence" in Paul Roberts and his management team, and that they had worked hard to protect jobs and in spite of the need to make substantial savings.

"They are doing what they have to do. Over the last three years savings an average of �10m per year have been made with very few of them coming from pay budgets," Prof Bull said.