Express & Star

NHS cuts forced agency closure

A Staffordshire woman has told how she was forced to close an agency which at one time had nearly 900 nurses and care workers on its books after NHS cutbacks began to bite. A Staffordshire woman has told how she was forced to close an agency which at one time had nearly 900 nurses and care workers on its books after NHS cutbacks began to bite. Louise Bath ran Kare Plus, of Sheepcote Street, Birmingham, which has now ceased trading, an employment tribunal heard. Her agency dealt with 200 nurses a week in West Midlands hospitals and at one stage, 670 nurses and social care workers were registered on her books. But Ms Bath told the tribunal her agency and others have been severely affected by NHS cutbacks. She said that she had to cease trading after nearly five years, although the company had not yet been wound up. "We were faced with huge losses after the NHS made redundancies and blocked out agency staff," she said. "There were about 60 to 70 such agencies in the West Midlands, and many have had to close. Sandwell and the City Hospital put a block on agency nurses virtually overnight." Ms Bath, who has now returned to intensive nursing, revealed the agency situation as she was told by the tribunal to award social worker Sue McKenzie £1,265 for unfair dismissal and £470 holiday pay. Read the full story in the Express & Star.

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A Staffordshire woman has told how she was forced to close an agency which at one time had nearly 900 nurses and care workers on its books after NHS cutbacks began to bite.

Louise Bath ran Kare Plus, of Sheepcote Street, Birmingham, which has now ceased trading, an employment tribunal heard.

Her agency dealt with 200 nurses a week in West Midlands hospitals and at one stage, 670 nurses and social care workers were registered on her books. But Ms Bath told the tribunal her agency and others have been severely affected by NHS cutbacks.

She said that she had to cease trading after nearly five years, although the company had not yet been wound up.

"We were faced with huge losses after the NHS made redundancies and blocked out agency staff," she said.

"There were about 60 to 70 such agencies in the West Midlands, and many have had to close. Sandwell and the City Hospital put a block on agency nurses virtually overnight."

Ms Bath, who has now returned to intensive nursing, revealed the agency situation as she was told by the tribunal to award social worker Sue McKenzie £1,265 for unfair dismissal and £470 holiday pay.

Claims for breach of contract and for the unlawful deduction of wages were dismissed.

Miss McKenzie, who had been a social worker on the agency's books, complained she was given only one day's notice by the agency that it was closing – prompting her claim for unfair dismissal.

Ms Bath disputed the claims after stating she paid Ms McKenzie £24 a hour, which included holiday pay.

Miss McKenzie said she had not been told her wages included holiday pay – an employment clause which has since been banned by the European Council.

Miss McKenzie also complained she had no contract with the agency.

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