University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Reverses Overtime Pay Cuts Following Doctors’ Industrial Action

A doctors’ union has ended its industrial action after plans to reduce overtime rates were withdrawn. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) announced its decision to reinstate enhanced salary payments for additional shifts, a move that came after medical staff at the trust ceased working overtime. In a letter dispatched to employees, the trust conveyed its apology for any distress caused by the reversal of the decision and committed to consulting with doctors regarding any future modifications. Dr. Rinesh Parmar, chair of the BMA West Midlands regional consultants committee, indicated that while staff felt relieved, the underlying issue remained unresolved. “We are relieved that this dangerous cut to pay rates for extra work doctors do outside of their contract has been averted, but this issue is far from resolved,” he said. “Without fair pay we run the risk that these shifts will go unfilled, leading to understaffed wards, burnt out doctors, and patients who suffer poorer and delayed care.” The trust communicated its apology to employees in writing. The letter stated: “We are committed to being open and candid with you … We have heard you. “We recognise that the breadth of discussions around the level of risk these changes might carry were not broad enough, and that clarity of the consequent agreed exceptions, process for raising ongoing escalations and the authorisation mechanism for any enhanced rates, were poorly communicated. “This is owned by the Trust Executive. We are sorry for any distress, upset and mistrust we have caused you.” Medical professionals who attended a union meeting last week had agreed to stop working overtime starting the following day. Several doctors at the trust, which operates the Queen Elizabeth, Good Hope, and Heartlands hospitals in Birmingham, along with Solihull Hospital, informed the BBC that the initial decision had already negatively affected patient safety in intensive care units. UHB had previously addressed concerns by stating its need to reduce the “unsustainable” financial outlay on extra shifts.