Apologies from NGH chief as victims of pay error reimbursed

An email sent to staff yesterday from chief executive Dr Sonia Swart said the missing enhancements - some as large as £1,500 - will be transferred within 48 hours.

Hospital staff who contacted the Chron on Friday said they had already received their owed money. Porters, domestics and switchboard staff were all affected and, contrary to official statements, so were a number of nurses.

Dr Swart’s email says: “We would like to say how sorry we are that this has happened and reassure you that we are doing everything we can to put things right.”

Earlier this week staff were told some would not receive the full amounts owed until next month.

However, the hospital said it had found a way to issue the missing payments more quickly.

NGH said it is not yet sure Where responsibility lies for the problem, but will carry out a “full and detailed investigation”.

Dr Swart also said sorry to staff for the way the error was communicated to them.

She said: “We would also like to apologise if some of the terminology we used has caused upset in our dealing with the shortfalls in payments.

“There was never any intention to cause further upset and we fully accept that we must ensure that everyone affected receives the payments to which they are fully entitled.

“If you have been personally affected by this issue, please accept our sincere apologies for the upset and worry this situation must have caused you.”