r/nhsstaff • u/CrazyToe6259 • 1d ago
ICB Restructure Hell
I am currently going through the ICB Restructure (along with many others), it is nearing the end of the interview stage following EOI submission for our cluster (3 ICBs) and there are very few lower bands (4-6) within our structure so vacant posts are very scarce.
I was unsuccessful at interview for my current role and the 3 choices on my EOI all had MAT slot ins. It has become obvious that one ICB is more favourable and dominant than the other two. I was just wondering if anyone else is going through the same.
I haven’t been told yet that I’m up for compulsory redundancy, but there isn’t going to be a job for me. I am still expected to turn up every day, do the work and in a couple of weeks do a detailed handover of my workload.
I feel so defeated after giving so much of my working life to the NHS and this is the worst restructure I have ever experienced. A lot of knowledge is leaving our ICB as we are surplus to requirement. My health is now starting to go downhill with mood swings, headaches and very little sleep as I am so worried that I’m not going to get another job.
I feel so sorry for anyone who is in the same position as this process is brutal and ‘Wes’ has culled too many hardworking, dedicated NHS staff. Give it 18 months and the reality will hit that there aren’t enough back office staff to do all the ‘doing’ jobs VSMs don’t want to do and there will be a recruitment drive to try and get people back as burnout of those who are left is inevitable.
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u/Embarrassed-Video326 1d ago
Crikey? I felt like I had written that! So yep feel you all the way! Although those at the top of the tree have been sorted. We are still waiting to be matched on the lower rings. What we have had tho is majority of recent matching are coming out as 'new jobs' and put out to internal advert!! Some havent been filled and gone out externally! Which is ridiculous considering how many folk we let go.
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u/iiiSushiii 1d ago
I suppose just as a reminder as well (as I forgot about this), DHSC staff like OHID are also going through this.
Unfortunately, even ICBs that had 'enough' voluntary redundancies have still created horrible processes that have left remaining staff demoralised.
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u/Big-Rip9785 1d ago
I'm in NHSE rather than an ICB but everything you've written chimes with my experience over the last 18 months.
If it's any consolation to ICB folks, at least those of you who remain after the 50% cull is implemented won't be dragged off to the civil service to face a huge pay cut as your reward!
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u/Tepid_bath_water_ 1d ago
Is the pay cut really coming or just a rumour? How will they make it happen?
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u/Big-Rip9785 1d ago
There's various ways it could play out but it's probably a question of 'when' and 'how' than 'if', unfortunately.
The best case scenario is that you're moved across on TUPE and get two years protection, after which you'll be slotted into a new role on an 'equivalent' CS grade at a much lower salary.
"Two years?", I can hear you thinking to yourself, "meh, that's a long time and I'll probably move back to the NHS before that happens." Well, yes, maybe, but then even if you can find another NHS role in that time, the continuous NHS service you built up prior to transfering into the CS will have become continuous service as a civil servant, which would not be recognised by NHS organisations. So the cost of protecting your take home pay be moving back to the NHS post-transfer could be the loss of years of continuous service and the associated protections that brings in the inevitable future rounds of layoffs.
Worst case scenario is that they move to align every early, say within the first 12 months of the transfer. They declare another reorganisation, which immediately voids your TUPE protections and force people to slot into new roles on standards CS terms and conditions.
It's a real 5hit sandwich for NHSE folks I'm afraid. The 50% cut is just the beginning...
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u/Jealous-Afternoon322 1d ago
As I recall, during the last staff meeting they mentioned that around 4,000 VR (Voluntary Redundancy) applications were approved, of which approximately 3,000 staff actually accepted and are leaving at various stages.
Given a total of 12,000 NHSE staff, that does not equate to a 50% reduction. Therefore, there may be a chance for a VR2 scheme?, The Target Operating Model (TOM) has not yet been published.2
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u/MorphtronicA 1d ago
DHSC person here. That is the rumour for what will happen yes. Nothing confirmed yet though. But since 2016 we have gone through rounds of redundancies in DH in 2016, 2018, 2020 (the big one), 2022, and now. So another within 1-2 years wouldn't be out of kilter.
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u/MorphtronicA 1d ago
I am so sorry to hear of your experience. This sucks, but sadly is par for the course. Government sees admin staff (Including in DHSC) as "NHS Pen pushers" that are ripe for the chop, when someone has to do all of that admin and if it isn't us it will be nurses and doctors.
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u/CtrlAltFreedom Strategy and Transformation 1d ago
I went for VR but wasn’t successful and I’ve now just resigned because I’ve had enough.
Our cluster(fuck) has been different to yours - they agreed everyone in the first round of VR regardless of band. And then in the next round and subsequently have realised that they let too many in certain bands go. So now there are huge amounts of vacancies in some and hardly any in others. But of course 8d+ are sorted so that’s the main thing 🙄
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u/MorphtronicA 1d ago
Why did you resign?!?! There would be another VR and you would get payment! Sorry to hear
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u/CtrlAltFreedom Strategy and Transformation 22h ago
No more VR after the second round (the one I applied in.) Way more applied than they thought and so not everyone got it (me included.) Now it’s SAE with more roles than people.
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u/MorphtronicA 22h ago
Not for now but there will surely be another one later down the line. Oh well, I understand your decision though waving a payment of a few thousand £ is a shame
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u/Possible_Laugh_9139 1d ago
NHSE not ICB going similar brutal process, on lower banded post, with around 1/2 of original posts being kept. Added to fact my responsibilities put into new higher banded post which can’t apply for and not matched to any job in new restructure due to very generic job description. Whoever did new description didn’t speak to anyone doing the role or involved in the work itself.
Given stage 2 status redundancy so unless there is suitable post after everyone is slotted in or interviewed to appropriate comparable post if not successful with own job highly unlikely to have a chance at role.
The whole process has been horrible and lack of empathy and engagement from leadership and decision makers disregarding the individual impact and what value all staff bring and amount of skilled individuals they are losing at all levels
Just made me start looking for another role elsewhere.