Three trusts say ‘NO’ to Cartel

Published: 10 August 2012

Three trusts in the region have decided to make the right decision and say ‘NO’ to joining the South West Pay Cartel,  looking instead for alternative ways to make savings.

The Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases NHS Foundation Trust and South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, all said no to joining the pay, terms and conditions consortium in the region. Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust are still pending a decision as they wait to discuss the proposals further.

A spokesman for South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: 

“The Trust has examined the details of this consortium approach to pay and decided that it would not be in the best interests of our organisation to participate.

“We believe that maintaining local control over pay processes and policies is more compatible with our own workforce relations.”

Jeannett Martin, South West Regional Director for the RCN said:

“It is really great that three potentially four trusts, have decided to buck the trend and not join the South West Pay, terms and conditions consortium (aka Pay Cartel), deciding instead to show how much they value their staff, staff morale and the quality of patient care they give.

“We will work in partnership with these Trusts to support them as they seek other more long term ways to make the savings they need to make. All members who work at these Trusts should be proud and ensure that they tell senior management that they made the right choice.”