ANGRY health staff have been left reeling at a decision to put in place an overtime freeze in the wake of top level executives having their salaries protected for up to 10 years.

They claim other departments are suffering as a consequence of the Assembly-led policy across Hywel Dda Health Board, which covers Llanelli's Prince Philip Hospital and West Wales General Hospital, in Carmarthen.

Constraints

In a letter entitled overtime constraints, from Simon Jones of the organisation, to all staff it said the situation had come into effect because of the current financial climate.

The NHS is expected to save £1.9 billion over the next five years — but it is still shelling out on pay increases for executives who failed to win top jobs, following the mergers of NHS trusts and local health boards last October.

And the maximum period of pay protection is 10 years, when an employee has 15 or more years service with the NHS.

A staff member from Hywel Dda Health Board said: "This letter was recently put in West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen. As you can see all other departments are suffering because as has been reported in the media, government are paying 10 top people to do nothing."

In the letter to all staff members, it said: "Please be advised that due to the current financial position I have been instructed to advise everyone that there is a restriction on overtime effective from August 2.

"This means that NO overtime must be allowed unless it has a direct impact on patient care/safety and any request for overtime working MUST be approved by senior management in advance of it being worked.

"Can I please ask you to ensure that all staff are made aware of this situation and that you ensure that you only authorise overtime which is absolutely necessary.

"I will then review the position when I return."

He added: "Please also be aware that this situation is not just applicable to the laundry but applies across all services."

Janet Wilkinson, director of workforce and organisational development, of Hywel Dda Health Board, added: "As a public body, health boards have a duty to deliver safe and effective patient services within financial budgets.

Challenging

"In this challenging financial environment, we must ensure we use NHS resources effectively.

"The health board values its workforce and has committed to making no compulsory redundancies.

"Other workforce controls have been put in place to ensure appropriate staffing requirements, including the production of business cases to support the re-establishment of any posts that become vacant, a review of temporary contracts approaching the end of their fixed terms, and limits on non-essential overtime and agency cover."

She added: "These apply equally to clinical and non-clinical posts and across geographical areas."

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk