Promise on hospital phone switchboard jobs
Tuesday 11th October 2011, 8:30PM BST.
Switchboard operators taking calls at Shropshire’s two hospitals will not lose their jobs when a new automated answering service comes into force.
Bosses at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust this afternoon quashed fears the new phone system, which is due to become operational next year, will mean job losses at the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal Hospitals.
Joanne Yale, head of facilities at the trust, said the changes would not spark any redundancies among the 21 staff.
The telephonists are in charge of taking calls from members of the public and providing a 24-hour service for emergency crash calls for doctors and raising alarms.
The trust said under the existing system, some callers were left distressed after not getting an answer from the switchboard.
But it is hoped the new automated system would free up telephonists’ time to speak to callers. She said: “We are consulting with staff and we have no plans to make people redundant as a result of these changes.
“Having worked in Shropshire’s hospitals for 22 years, I know that major improvements are needed in our telephone systems so that we offer a better service to our patients and their relatives.”
“Our current system is obsolete and within the next two years there is a good chance that it will be beyond repair.
She added: “Our current telephony system is not fit for a modern hospital. Too many calls go unanswered, which causes frustration and anxiety for people trying to find out about their appointment or about their loved ones.”
By Jason Lavan
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