A HOSPITAL trust has urged bosses to not use “non-clinical” bank staff for the final week of the month as part of cost-cutting measures as it tackles a planned £85 million deficit reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE), which runs Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals, has told managers not to use temporary bank staff during the final week of September, according to an email seen by the Echo.
Bank staff typically cover a wide range of roles, including clinical, nursing, allied health, administration, catering, and security.
The trust has insisted the use of bank staff has not been banned or stopped entirely, with hundreds in essential roles working this week, but reviewing and potentially pausing non-essential staffing costs and bank staff in “non-clinical” areas is part of its wider cost-saving work as it grapples with a planned £85million deficit for the 2025/26 financial year.
It remains in the NHS’s National Recovery Support Programme due to ongoing financial challenges and, to address the planned deficit, is aiming for £118 million in savings during the year.
Measures include significant workforce reductions— last year 683 jobs were reduced which was short of the 840 planned. This year an additional 250 job cuts are required on top of the requirement in 2024/25.
Dawn Scrafield, chief finance officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We must always spend taxpayers’ money wisely and so are reviewing all reasonable options to improve efficiency and reduce spend, while continuing to deliver safe, high-quality care to our patients.
“One of the areas under review is how we reduce temporary staffing spend, including non-essential bank staff, where it is appropriate and safe to do so.”
Financial trouble-shooter Phillip Burns has been brought in to join a team tasked with delivering £118 million in savings.
Mr Burns previously made headlines in 2021 when it was revealed he earned £370,000 over nine months as interim recovery director for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in Wales.
Asked about Mr Burns appointment, a spokesperson for NHS England, said the NHS must “live within it’s means” and added: “Any costs incurred from hiring temporary external expertise – which is provided on site – is significantly outweighed by the benefit of the trust meeting its financial plans.”
