| We would like to share with you a statement from the RCN following on from recent instructions from NHSI regarding an agency ban from 1 April 2017.
The RCN have condemned the lack of consultation with themselves over the upcoming agency ban and they believe, as do TFS Healthcare, that members should be free to work in ways that suit them the best. “NHS Improvement wrote to trusts last month advising them of the new arrangements but neither the RCN nor the NHS Staff Council agreed the move and there was no consultation. Members have begun receiving letters from their employers telling them that trusts will only be able to engage staff working additional hours through staff banks and overtime. They have taken to social media to express their anger. The initiative comes as NHS nursing staff await an announcement about pay, which has been suppressed for many years. An RCN spokesperson said: “We do not support this agency cap and we were not consulted. We support the right of our members to work in whatever way is best for them and their families. “They added: “There is no obligation on nurses to join a hospital bank. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that shifts are filled. It is not right that nurses should work for less than they are worth. “We will be taking this matter up further with NHS Improvement and the Department of Health.”
If you have any questions regarding this please contact Olivia Spruce on olivia.spruce@tfshealthcare.co.uk. |
