Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is aware of the valuable contribution made by staff, which allows us to provide an excellent health service.
The Trust considers it important to support staff and help them to maintain a work life balance. A wide range of family friendly and employee friendly policies and procedures exist which can help staff to work more flexibly. In addition, there are childcare facilities on both hospital sites.
Pay
The majority of staff employed within the Trust are paid on Agenda for Change pay bands. Further information is available from the Department of Health’s website, which can be found at http://www.dh.gov.uk/
Staff Benefits
Many areas across the Trust operate some kind of flexible working pattern, although this is subject to the needs of the service and may differ from department to department. Some of the various kinds of flexible working are shown below, but this is not an automatic entitlement and should be discussed with the manager at interview.
Flexitime
Many departments across the Trust operate a flexitime system, where staff can have some flexibility over their actual working times, subject to the core hours and the needs of the service.
Self rostering
Team members on a number of wards have more control over their working times due to a self rostering system which enables nurses and other staff who provide a 24 hour service with the opportunity to determine their own working patterns.
Job sharing
Job sharing opportunities are available in certain areas, which provide staff with an increased opportunity to achieve a work life balance.
Compressed hours
This scheme allows staff to work the same number of hours and therefore maintain the same level of pay, but to spread their hours over fewer days.
Term time working
Term time working helps staff with school age children to balance their working life and home life. Staff may work increased hours during school terms and be with their families in school holidays. Although not an option in all areas, it is an increasingly popular option.
Career break
Staff with more than two years service may apply to take an unpaid break from employment to pursue other interests, for a period of between three months and two years. At the end of this time, staff may return to the same or a similar job.
Flexible retirement
Members of the NHS pension scheme have a number of options as they near retirement age.
Health club membership
Employees of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals are able to take advantage of reduced membership fees at a range of local fitness centres in the area, through a scheme operated by Central Lancashire PCT.
Childcare
The Trust provides onsite nurseries at both hospital sites, managed by Busy Bees Nursery. A childcare voucher scheme exists to allow staff to purchase tax free childcare vouchers which can be used for any childcare, not just the onsite nurseries.
Holiday play schemes
Holiday play schemes are organised in Easter and summer school holidays at various venues throughout the Chorley and Preston areas.
Catering
Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital both have subsidised restaurants and a shop which is open to staff and visitors.
Healthcare
Occupational Health Services are available for staff on both hospital sites.
