New winter rate for nurse bank shifts
December 17, 2019
Message on behalf of Paula Gardner, Chief Nurse
Colleagues will recognise the challenges being faced in safely staffing our clinical teams, to ensure our patients are receiving the best care. In order to safely staff our Trust over the winter period, we are offering a ‘winter rate’ effective from now until the 31st January, where all bank shifts for band 5, 6 and 7 nurses will be paid at a flat rate of £21 per hour. This represents an increase for all levels of nursing to the current bank rate, and reflects what other Trusts in the Black Country are doing. There are high numbers of vacancies in some areas that are actively being recruited to so that substantive staffing is in place, with a large recruitment event planned for 18 January.
This means the biggest increase for band 5 nurses in the hourly bank rate, which recognises the high number of vacancies at that level. We hope that the increase for bands 5 – 7 reflects our commitment to patient care, and enables nursing colleagues to plan in extra shifts over the next six weeks and know what additional pay you will receive. You can book your shifts by ringing the Trust Bank on 0121 507 3600 or booking your shift in the usual way. This winter rate applies until the 31 January 2020.