Bank and Agency

**NEW** - JANUARY 2025

Dear Colleague,

We write to inform you about upcoming adjustments to pension contributions for bank shifts, aimed at creating alignment with the contributions structure for substantive employees.

Starting from this month (January 2025), pension contributions for bank shifts will be calculated in the same way as they currently are for substantive roles.

What Is Changing?

Currently, pension contributions for bank shifts have been calculated against the higher bank rates paid in bank shifts. However, following a recent policy review and agreement at LNC, we will be adjusting the pension contribution process so that bank shift contributions mirror the approach applied to substantive positions. This means:

• Consistency in Contribution Calculation: Pension contributions for bank shifts will now be based on the same rates and pensionable hours criteria as those used for substantive roles. This will not affect the recompense/rate for the shift and will only affect the pension contributions, see table below. the pensionable / non-pensionable rates will be updated for all national Medical and Dental pay awards. PLEASE NOTE: this does not mean the rate card is changing in any way.

• Aligned Benefits: This change ensures that all employees, regardless of shift type, accrue pension benefits equitably.

Why This Change Is Happening

The decision to adjust pension contributions for bank shifts is part of our ongoing commitment to fairness and consistency across the organisation. By aligning the calculation approach, we ensure that all employees, whether they work bank shifts or in a substantive capacity, are contributing fairly and receiving equitable pension benefits.

When Will This Take Effect? 

The new structure will be implemented from this month and will be backdated to 1^st April 2024. You will see the updated pension contribution details reflected in your payslip and we will continue to ensure full transparency in the transition. We are here to support you through these adjustments and are available to answer any questions or provide further details as needed. Please feel free to reach out to: medical.roster@liverpoolft.nhs.uk

Thank you for your attention to this important update and we appreciate your cooperation as we work towards a more consistent approach to pension contributions.

Welcome to the Temporary Staffing Department at Liverpool University Hospitals. This page details how to join the bank, what the bank can offer you and gives you information about how the bank supports the organisation.

By joining the bank, you are becoming part of a dedicated and skilled team of temporary workers who provide a ​high-quality service to all areas of the Trust. Our Temporary Staffing Team support all our sites and are happy to help you gain experience in our diverse range of wards and departments within LUH.

Please take some time to review the documents below, these will give you an insight into the procedures of the Bank and we would kindly ask you have a look through the information if you are an existing bank worker or would like to join.

Temporary Staffing workers are a crucial part in ensuring that our Trust is the best it can be. Every individual who signs up to work for the service plays their part in improving the stay of our patients and as a bank worker, we recognise just how invaluable your flexible approach to work is. 

As a temporary worker, you will provide ad-hoc cover to areas across a range of specialisms within the Trust. You will have the chance to experience life in different departments, learning how different specialisms operate; you will work with lots of people, and you will get the opportunity to get an insight into any area you choose if they have work available.  

The importance of our bank workers bringing this flexibility and willingness to move across areas to the Trust is invaluable to our wards and departments in their endeavours to maintaining the exceptional levels of care and support that our patients receive.  

Our team are here to help you with a variety of things while you are working via Temporary Staffing. We will support you with arranging your bookings, providing your training and are on hand to provide support with anything you might need.

To claim bank annual leave hours, contact the Temporary Staffing team to request the number of hours worked for a particular period and they will be able to tell you how much leave you are entitled to. The allocation is for every 8.64 hours worked, one hour of leave is accrued. This can be claimed as you need to. You can allow this to accrue or claim each week if you prefer.

Staff Bank Application Form

Pay Definitions SOP July24

April 2022

Staff bank improvement in our offer and the introduction of InstantPay

The Trust would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution our bank workers give to our organisation and working in partnership with staffside colleagues, the Trust has just agreed to the following changes to the bank offer.

For all bank shifts, the rate paid will be top of band from 1^st April 2022. This will require set up work to be completed to ensure all relevant assignments are updated. This will happen as quickly as is feasible, but any shifts undertaken from 1^st April will be adjusted accordingly as soon as possible. This might mean a slight delay in back payments, but we will endeavour to pay this as soon as possible.

The Trust will be introducing InstantPay in April. InstantPay is a facility linked to rostered shifts which allows access to pay for those shifts within 24 hours of being worked being paid directly into your bank account. There is a small admin charge of £1.75 per transaction which is paid to the company managing this facility – Wagestream and the ‘advance’ is recovered from your formal salary at the next available opportunity by Wagestream.

The Trust will be setting up some parameters around how much salary can be accessed so as to ensure staff retain regular income. Wagestream provide an app to those who wish to use the facility and require access to salary in order to recover the monies paid out early. They are formally registered and are governed by the financial regulators. They also provide support for financial savings which is an option some may also be interested in. There will be further information for those interested in setting this facility up. This is open to both bank and substantive workers.

As part of our discussions with staff side colleagues over the past few months to improve our package we have agreed that we will be introducing holiday pay for all staff undertaking additional hours through bank work. Accumulation of this will begin from 1^st April 2022 and staff can ‘claim’ their leave hours through the Temporary staffing team to allow payment for when they need to take a break. The process for claiming these hours and form to request can be found on the HR staff Hub here. To support these changes, revised Casual Worker Agreements will be issued to all staff undertaking any bank hours over the coming weeks.

We hope that these changes will support our bank colleagues and confirm our Trust commitment and acknowledgement for all the additional work undertaken.

Mrs Elaine Butchard                                                                                              Mr. Joe Baldwin

Deputy Chief People Officer                                                                                Chair of Staff side