Workers fear shift changes

Staff at Shropshire’s Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital are looking at changes in working patterns as the hospital faces up to forecasts of huge gaps in its finances.

The hospital, near Oswestry, has been warned that, unless it makes major changes, it faces a £7.5 million future shortfall.

It has just succeeded in making a surplus this year to ensure payment of a loan from the regional health authority.

But worried about the future, hospital bosses have brought in finance experts from Ernst and Young, who have been working at the trust for three months.

Now many staff fear their working conditions will alter following a review.

In a letter to the media some theatre staff say they may have to change their work patterns to include more evening and weekend work.

“Currently staff in theatre have an option to occasionally work on a Saturday as overtime,” the letter says.

“Staff are now concerned that they will be expected to work at weekends within their normal weekly hours.”

The letter says all the staff are open and fully willing to help the hospital fulfil its responsibilities but says that morale is now plummeting.

Chief executive at the hospital, Wendy Farrington Chadd, said it was looking to extend its working day, but it would be through taking on more staff, not extending an individual’s hours.

“It will mean more flexible working, but some people may prefer to work over the weekends,” she said.