From today, the BMA is advising members not to work for lower overtime rates than those set out in its local dispute cards after it said UHB had scrapped its enhanced pay rates.

BMA West Midlands regional consultants committee chair, Dr Rinesh Parmar, said: ‘We have been successful in negotiating with other trusts to prevent them making unilateral changes to rates for extra-contractual work and it is disappointing that managers at UHB do not see fit to follow national guidance for the benefit of their patients and staff.  

‘The Government's ambition to tackle waiting lists and provide the promised 40,000 extra appointments a week, will rely on doctors agreeing to do extra shifts on top of their contracted work. Doctors are highly skilled professionals and any work outside of their contracted hours should be paid to reflect their skill, workload and experience.

‘Without offering appropriate rates for work, the trust runs the risk that doctors will simply not pick up these extra shifts. This will inevitably lead to burnt out doctors, understaffed wards and patients who will have to suffer with poor and delayed care.'

A UHB spokesperson said: ‘Following sustained recruitment over the last 18 months, UHB has a significantly improved staffing position (2,275/11%)  - predominantly nurses and medics - with fewer vacancies than we have had since 2017, although there remain a small number of areas with high vacancy rates. 

‘Despite this, the trust still spends an unsustainable amount of money on bank and agency staffing each month, and a significant number of colleagues are receiving very high enhanced bank rates, whilst working alongside substantive colleagues doing the same roles, for less pay.

‘Quality impact assessments have been conducted by all clinical and non-clinical specialties, with exceptions agreed as appropriate to maintain patient safety in some departments.

‘The requirements for non-contractual work are reviewed daily, and where agreed, rates above and beyond established rates will continue to be authorised, to ensure that patient safety and staff wellbeing are at the forefront of our consideration.'