Luton & Dunstable Hospital wrong to scrap operating theatre overtime pay, says union
Hospital operating theatre staff could be thousands of pounds out of pocket each year after their overtime pay was scrapped this week, says Unison today (Tuesday).
Under nationally agreed guidance, employees have been paid time-and-a-half for working beyond their contracted 37.5 hours a week.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has denied the union’s claims it will no longer offer overtime pay to staff at Bedford or Luton & Dunstable hospitals.
In a statement Unison has said any theatre workers doing additional hours will have to sign up for bank shifts instead.
These are temporary, flexible working shifts filled by workers from an internal staff bank to cover short-term sickness or increased patient demand. These roles offer no guaranteed hours or obligation to accept work, allowing staff to pick shifts that fit their schedule.
Unison believes the change will leave experienced nurses or operating department practitioners around £120 worse off after an 11-hour overtime shift.
The change could also lead to more short-staffing and cancelled operations with a reduced incentive to pick up the extra work, adds the union.
Theatre staff urged senior managers to reconsider the overtime change last month, but the trust decided to press on. Staff are now considering whether to vote on strike action, says the union.
Cathrine Ward, Unison Eastern regional organiser, said: “NHS trusts are under a lot of financial pressure, but it’s completely wrong for theatre staff to pick up the tab.
“These cuts risk undermining efforts to tackle waiting lists. Fed-up workers may well decide it’s not worth the hassle of picking up extra shifts.
“The trust must show it values staff and pay them the overtime rates they deserve.”
A spokesman for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “In line with national terms and conditions, overtime rates should only be used for unavoidable, emergency situations such as theatre lists overrunning. In these circumstances we will continue to pay overtime rates as set out in the NHS handbook. Any additional, voluntary shifts that a colleague chooses to work will now be paid as bank shifts, and not as overtime. This is in line with national guidance and helps to protect the health and wellbeing of our workforce.
“These changes have been implemented following an extensive consultation with our staff and constructive conversations with our Staff Side representatives, who we continue to engage with.
“Patient safety is our highest priority and these changes will not compromise this. We have recently undergone an extensive recruitment campaign to increase the number of colleagues working in our theatres and will continue to grow our talented, committed workforce to ensure we continue to provide an excellent service to the people of Bedfordshire.”