More than nine in ten (92%) RCN members at the trusts who responded to the survey said they believe staffing levels have deteriorated at the hospital and community trusts that form the Black Country Provider Collaborative since the curbs on bank shifts.
Almost 93% reported worsening staff health and wellbeing, with 84% saying patient care and safety has also deteriorated.
Most of the 200 respondents said they are financially worse off due to the restrictions on shifts and pay either because they have stopped doing bank work, fewer suitable shifts are available or they are reluctantly working for lower pay rates than previously because the income is vital to them.
The RCN has repeated its call for the four trusts – The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust – to stop short-changing staff who are paid less for doing extra work on the bank than their regular pay rate.
Demoralised
Many nursing staff who responded to the survey, carried out last October and November, said they feel devalued and demoralised by the cuts and mounting workload pressures.
One said: “I now hate going into work. Patients and relatives are abusing us due to failures of the trust and not having enough staff. I am worse off financially. I can no longer have at least one holiday a year which helps me and my family to unwind. I am burnt out, fed up, frustrated and do not feel seen or respected by anyone.”
Another said: “Specialist nurses and ward managers are being pulled away from their own jobs to cover vacant shifts that would otherwise be covered by bank. The morale, staffing levels and culture are terrible.”
Numerous respondents reported that because of the tougher restrictions on bank use their ward or service either has to cope understaffed when a member of staff calls in sick or, alternatively, an external agency nurse has to be brought in to fill the vacant shift, ultimately costing the trusts and the taxpayer more money.
One of the respondents said: “Many staff members no longer do bank as it’s not worth it any more to receive less money than a normal shift. This means there are many shifts that are short staffed – this affects patient care and can result in higher levels of stress and burnout for the nurses on shift.”
Another reported: “Staff are constantly ringing in sick on daily basis now. This adds even more pressure due to not being able to book bank at such short notice. We now have to do a demand versus capacity form before sending to the matrons who then have to get authorisation from higher management to see if they agree to bank. By this time the day is almost over.”
'Pound signs'
Lindsay Meeks, Regional Director of the RCN in the West Midlands, said: “These trusts are preoccupied with pound signs when they should also be looking at the warning signs from their staff.
“They should feel ashamed about the damage these cuts are doing to nursing staff’s morale and their ability to provide good quality patient care without running themselves ragged due to persistent staffing shortages.
“All staff are asking for is that when they do extra hours through the staffing bank, they’re paid the same hourly rate as when they do a normal shift. Often, they work these extra hours so that rotas are filled, which means the correct number of nursing staff are on duty to ensure the workload for everyone is more manageable and patients are well-cared for and safe.
“To be told you don’t deserve even your basic pay, when overtime should be paid at time and a half, is an insult. It’s exploiting the staff’s goodwill and dedication, and it’s not acceptable.”
