Hospital bosses reverse ban on overtime pay, saying it's not 'cost effective'

NHS bosses at Cornwall's main hospital have done a U-turn on cutting staff’s overtime pay.

- by OLIVIER VERGNAULT

Less than three weeks after it came to light, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT), backpedalled on it plans to make savings by cutting overtime pay.

Last month the West Briton reported how, in an internal memo sent to all staff, Alison Thorne-Henderson, the dual chief people officer with RCHT, which runs the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske in Truro, St Michael’s Hospital in Hayle and West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance, said the move was necessary to save money as the trust is facing tough financial times ahead.

At the time, Ms Thorne-Henderson said: "From April 1, all care groups and corporate services will be required to always use the most cost-effective way to cover any unfilled shifts that are essential to maintaining patient safety.

"The default will be for all shifts to be filled at basic rates of pay, this includes time off in lieu (TOIL), which either must be taken within three months or will be paid up after three months at basic rate of pay.