HEALTH CARE employees at Wiltshire Health and Care have been told they will not be receiving the additional lump sum payment that the government and NHS staff council negotiated in May, and as a result, they say 'morale has dipped to rock bottom'.
A letter that was sent to health employees confirmed that the lump sum payment would go to those who were on a substantive contract on March 31, 2023, but the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) excluded Wiltshire Health and Care.
This means that the lump sum will not go to any workers on that contract due to financial constraints.
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Sarah Shales, an administrator for Wiltshire Health and Care, said: “I was led to believe that the money would be a thank you for all the hard work during covid, but many are not entitled to it. It is awful. I worked all the way through covid.
“Nurses are so committed to patients and are still going out to see them but now morale has dipped to rock bottom. Nurses are excellent and this is so upsetting.”
Wiltshire Health and Care Employees are committed to looking for solutions and have stated they will work with the Members Board, Trade Unions as well as partner organisations.
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Salisbury MP John Glen attended a talk with healthcare workers about the situation.
He said: “I am grateful to the whole group of healthcare professionals who took the time and care to explain their unusual situation to me.
“As a result, I was pleased to plead their case this week to the Integrated Care Board, which is responsible for the remuneration of staff whom the NHS has ported off Agenda for Change contracts over the course of their careers.
“I was heartened to hear it fully and frankly acknowledged that these staff faced the same pandemic pressures as their peers on conventional NHS contracts. It was also accepted that a fair solution is needed for them, and I was assured that active discussions are taking place.
“I will be following this issue closely and look forward to a satisfactory resolution.”
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