What if you get what you’re owed? – RCN launches extra hours campaign
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is launching a campaign to highlight the extra hours of unpaid work that nursing staff are doing – propping up the NHS as it goes through one of the most challenging times in its history.
Nurses and healthcare assistants are working long, stressful days, frequently not taking their breaks and many are having to work far beyond their shifts.
At selected Trusts in the English regions and Northern Ireland, RCN members will now be recording the actual hours that they work and seeking to have their contractual rights met – either as time back or payment for these hours.
Nursing staff at the Lister Hospital in Hertfordshire have been recording their hours since the start of the year in a pilot scheme. They will now be joined by RCN members from across England including Weston Area Health NHS Trust in the South West Region.
Jeannett Martin, Regional Director for the RCN South West region said:
“We all know that nursing staff have always been willing to go above and beyond for the patients that they care for. Anyone who has had contact with a member of the nursing profession over recent years will know just how long their working day is and how hard they work. However the Royal College of Nursing is very concerned that the goodwill of staff is being relied upon and exploited by the Government when they consider NHS funding.”
“Working closely with Weston Area Health NHS Trust the Royal College of Nursing will be supporting our members to record the extra hours that they work. If it is not possible for staff to be able to have time off in lieu for these extra hours within the following three months, then, in line their contract, they should be paid for these extra hours instead. The RCN will be supporting our members to have these contractual rights met.”