Operating theatre staff at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital could be left thousands of pounds worse off each year after overtime payments were withdrawn, according to a leading health union.
UNISON says the decision by Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to scrap time-and-a-half payments for extra hours will hit experienced nurses and operating department practitioners at the L&D Hospital.
Under nationally agreed guidance, NHS employees working beyond their contracted 37.5 hours a week have been paid at time and a half. The trust has now told staff it will no longer offer overtime rates. Instead, theatre workers wanting to work additional hours must sign up to ‘bank’ shifts.
The union estimates that an experienced member of staff could be around £120 worse off for an 11-hour overtime shift under the new arrangements. Over the course of a year, that could amount to thousands of pounds in lost income for some workers.
UNISON has also warned the move could make it harder to fill extra shifts, increasing the risk of short staffing in theatres and potentially leading to cancelled operations in Luton. The union argues that without the incentive of enhanced pay, some staff may decide it is not worth taking on additional work.
Theatre staff urged senior managers to reconsider the change last month, but the trust has pressed ahead. According to the union, workers are now considering whether to ballot for strike action.
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.”
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