Staff criticise ‘disgusting’ cuts at trust with huge savings target

A trust that is trying to cut nearly a tenth of its costs in one year  has been criticised by staff for a string of “last minute” cuts to temporary shifts.

Bank workers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn FT, which is facing one of the highest efficiency rates in England, claim shifts are being cancelled with little notice.

A trust spokeswoman said it was reviewing processes to ensure staff get more notice when they are no longer required.

Trusts nationally are under pressure to reduce workforce costs, particularly from temporary staff, and QEHKL has a £30m savings plan for 2024-25, nearly a tenth of its turnover. HSJ  understands its local integrated care board, Norfolk and Waveney, has recently brought in consultancy firm Deloitte to carry out a review of trust finances.

In a message on a staff Facebook group, seen by HSJ, trust people director John Syson said the trust no longer needed as many bank shifts because it had improved rostering and increased recruitment to permanent positions.

Mr Syson said: “While there are still bank shifts available in some areas, we expect that the number… will continue to reduce in the coming weeks.”

In another post Mr Syson says the trust will “balance patient safety with cost and efficiency” and adds: “Please be assured, this is not an end to bank shifts.”

But staff members on the group have claimed no shifts are being advertised to them, or shifts are being cancelled 15 minutes before they start.

One comment says it is “disgusting how bank staff have been treated” with “no warning, just an email and EOL [Employee Online system] wiped”. They add: “This is causing staff a considerable amount of stress and worry”.

Another claims “numerous shifts… are being cancelled without even an email or call to explain why… we understand the importance of saving money but it shouldn’t be done like this”.

Trust medical director Rebecca Martin told HSJ  it was continuing to offer some bank shifts but added: “A more effective use of our e-rostering system coupled with successful recruitment campaigns has seen a decline in the number of shifts required…

“Shifts are being released 48 hours ahead of time following authorisation as we flex to the needs of the hospital and patient acuity. The situation is constantly evolving and we have shifts available.”