A RALLYING call to support the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch has been issued by the local health trust’s interim Chief executive Chris Tidman.
Responding to news that uncertainty over the future of Woodrow Drive hospital was affecting staff turnover, he said: “We are very much open for business and very much much all about using all our sites, we are all on an improving journey.”
In October staff turnover for qualified nurses slid out to 12.33 per cent in Worcestershure Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, compared to 10 per cent in neighbouring trusts.
Director of workforce Denise Harnin told last week’s trust board meeting: “We know we have some hot-spot areas for staff turnover. for example surgical at the Alex site and anecdotally this is due to the lack of assurance in the future which is why we are carrying out exit interviews with those leaving.”
The situation is even worse for unqualified staff which has now gone out to a turnover of 14 per cent again against a benchmark of 10 per cent in neighbouring trusts.
The trust’s sickness levels are also running high at just under five per cent compared to a target of 3.5 per cent as are its vacancy levels.
In October the trust spent over £3.5 million on temporary staff and is actively on a recruitment drive.
