NEW proposals put forward to change break times for Barnsley Hospital staff - which would effectively mean some staff are working an extra day each month - are an ‘insult’ according to a union which represents its nurses.

Hospital bosses recently started a formal consultation on the proposed organisational changes of break times to make them ‘standardised’ for both clinical and non-clinical areas.

Early shifts will receive 30 minute unpaid breaks, as will late shifts, while long days and night shifts will receive a one hour unpaid break.

It means that the paid breaks will be replaced - something a union representative says is ‘insulting’.

Nurse Martin Jackson, who is also an activitist with the GMB Union, told the Chronicle: “This proposal has not been well thought out and does not adhere to trust values.

“It’s especially harsh on nursing staff, who work very hard to maintain safe nursing care.

“Nurses often work through breaks to ensure that care is delivered safely and this proposal does not reflect this.

“The proposal to take a one hour lunch break will result in less opportunity for nurses to do this - we are happy to be disturbed during our breaks, as we are under the current system.

“Workers feel they are not valued and not being listened to.

“The plan does not acknowledge the fantastic work that nurses do on a daily basis and is essentially an insult to staff.”

One member of staff, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Chronicle that should the changes be implemented the care patients receive could deteriorate.

They added: “At present we get a paid half hour break but under the new proposals the trust plans to charge our half-hour paid break to a one hour unpaid break.

“As the vast majority of nursing staff work long days this would result in full-time staff working one additional long day per four week rota.

“Obviously this is a massive blow as the majority of nursing staff made major sacrifices during the Covid-19 pandemic

“Obviously working an additional long day per rota will have a massive impact on staff.

“Staff with children in child care will have to pay additional costs.

“Working four long days in a week - 46 hours - will have a negative impact physically on staff.

“The list is endless.

“The changes are meant to improve the mental health and wellbeing of staff and reduce sickness.

“In reality it’s a cost saving exercise.

“To most residents Barnsley Hospital is highly regarded and these changes could potentially have a negative impact on their care.”

A spokesperson for the hospital told the Chronicle the proposals are currently in the consultation phase until the end of July.

They added: “Our nursing and midwifery colleagues work really hard every day and it is important to us that they are all able to take their allocated break periods.

“The trust is undertaking a consultation to gather feedback on proposed changes to breaks and the standardisation of shift times for our nursing and midwifery teams.

“The proposed changes would bring Barnsley Hospital in line with national NHS ‘Agenda for Change’ terms and conditions and contracts of employment.

“The consultation includes daily meetings for four weeks, group sessions and one-to-one sessions for all teams and individuals affected by proposed changes, and a dedicated email address for colleagues to ask questions or share views.

“All other trusts in England have a similar arrangement for breaks and shift times.”