The Bank is an entity operated by NHS Trust's to source and supply additional workers to fill ward or department staffing deficits. The Mersey Care Bank team successfully places a mixture of flexible workers of all disciplines including nurses, health care support workers, allied health professionals, administration and clerical and ancillary staff using our pool of workers or via Agency.
How can I get on the bank?
Any substantive member of staff may request to join the Trust’s bank to undertake the same role on the same pay band as they are employed in substantively.
In order to do this, please ensure your manager supports your application to work on the bank. Your manager will need complete a contractual change form and on the form select set up secondary bank assignment and the required grade.
Shift times
| Early | Day | Late | Twilight | Night |
| 7am to 2.30pm* | Varies from 9am to 5pm (mainly used for admin and AHP staff) | 1.30pm to 9pm | 6.30pm to 12am* |
8.37pm to 7.20am (10 hours 43 minutes). 10pm to 7am (night starters) |
Early and late shifts can be combined to form a long day shift*
Employee Online is being phased out, replaced by an updated app version of the same system – called Loop (from 1 April 2025). This is where you will book bank shifts and record availability to work additional hours, it also shows upcoming shifts and historical timesheets.
For substantive staff they will use Loop to track working days, book annual leave in additional to the above if they have a Bank Assignment.
- Competitive rates of pay
- Weekly pay
- Shifts can be booked online
- Flexible working arrangements and varied start times to suit your personal requirements
- The opportunity to work in various wards and departments to gain knowledge and experience
- Access to the NHS Pension scheme
- Occupational Health advisory service
- Free uniform (where applicable)
- Paid mandatory training
- Essential to role training
- Access to Trust training via learning and development and professional development.
How to join the bank
Q: If I currently have as substantive post under Mersey Care, how do I go about joining the bank?
A: You would have to ask your line manager to submit a 'Contractual Change form' which is found on the new Workforce Portal https://merseycarenhsuk.sharepoint.com/sites/MC-Workforce Once this is processed by ESRadmin, you will receive a bank acceptance form via email which you will fill in and return to banknewstarters
Q: I wish to remain on the bank after I leave my substantive post, can I do this?
A: Please make sure your line managers select 'yes' to remaining on the bank on your leavers form on the new Workforce Portal. A bank only post will then automatically be set up for you after you leave the Trust, you will receive an email once you have been set up.
Q: I want to leave the bank/close one of my bank postings. How do I go about this?
A: If you email the team, we will then submit leavers form for your bank posting which should be actioned within a few weeks. Please ensure to register for the ESR leavers portal to gain access to your final payslip and p45/p60 documents further information is available on YourSpace - https://yourspace.merseycare.nhs.uk/trust-wide-news/esr-new-leavers-dashboard
Uniforms
Q: I am a new starter , do I require a uniform?
A: You do need to wear a uniform on shifts, and you will be sent a link when you start on the bank to order a uniform. If you are an existing bank worker and require replacement uniform, please email bank
Q: How will I get my uniform?
A: Once your recruitment is complete, you will be invited to order a new uniform from Meltemi, the uniform supplier. If you have recently joined the bank.
Q: I require a replacement uniform as mine has been damaged or is worn
If you require a new uniform, please email bank
Payroll, annual leave and sickness
Q: Will I get paid for the induction?
A: Yes, induction and all mandatory elearning is paid. Please ensure you have signed the daily attendance register which is submitted for payment. Your name and assignment number should be clearly marked in block capitals. If you have any queries, please email banktimesheets
Q: When will I get paid?
A: Bank staff are paid weekly each Friday if shifts have been finalised by the ward before 10.30am each Monday or by 08.30am at Bank holidays (see here for amendments to bank payroll deadlines https://yourspace.merseycare.nhs.uk/trust-wide-news/amendment-bank-payroll-deadlines
If a shift is late to be finalised payment will be made the following week.
Q: Why have I not been paid?
A: This could be a number of reasons but always check the roster first to make sure shifts have been locked on time for the payrun. Contact the team (details below) for more information.
Q: Payroll has fallen on a bank holiday; will I be paid early?
Bank payroll will continue to be made each Friday for hours that are finalised on time. During bank holiday periods we are required to amend the cut of time for submitting hours from 10:30am to 08:30am on Mondays due to the shorter processing time at bank holiday periods. You can see a full list of amended payroll dates on Your Space https://yourspace.merseycare.nhs.uk/trust-wide-news/amendment-bank-payroll-deadlines
Q: Do bank staff have any entitlement to paid sick or bereavement leave?
A: No sickness entitlement is accrued whilst working for the Trust Bank. However, you may be entitled to statutory sick pay if you meet the qualifying conditions. As a bank worker, you are not entitled to payment for any other special leave. Bank workers may be entitled to Statutory Maternity allowance, Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) or Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP). Find out more in the bank workers agreement.
Q: What is my rate of pay?
Your rate of pay is detailed in your final offer letter which was sent to you via the Recruitment process. NHS pay information is also available online - https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-202425
Q: Will I receive enhanced pay when working a Bank shift?
Bank shifts will be paid at your hourly rate plus the relevant enhancement, Unsocial hours payments are additions to basic pay the rates of which are shown below.
|
Pay band |
All time on Saturday (midnight to midnight) and any weekday after 8pm and before 6am |
All time on Sundays and Public Holidays (midnight to midnight) |
|
1 |
Time plus 47% |
Time plus 94% |
|
2 |
Time plus 41% |
Time plus 83% |
|
3 |
Time plus 35% |
Time plus 69% |
|
4 – 9 |
Time plus 30% |
Time plus 60% |
Q: Will I get paid for annual leave?
A: From 1 October 2024, you will be paid 12.5% on top of your earnings every week. This new way of paying annual leave will provide a more comprehensive reflection of your overall income, encompassing any variable elements such as enhancements from shifts.
Q: Can I claim milage?
A: Bank staff can claim mileage if they are moving around bases as requested. A bank member of staff cannot claim if they are traveling to and from one location.
Pension
Q: How do I opt out of the pension?
A: To opt out of the pension you will require Form SD502 which you can get from the https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/leaving-or-taking-break-scheme
If you do not have personal access to a computer, you can contact NHS Pensions for an opt out form by telephoning the Member Helpline on 0300 3301 346.
Please note, this form cannot be provided by Payroll Services, each individual post a member holds will require a separate opt out form.
Once you have completed the form, send it to: Pensions Team, Payroll Services, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Jubilee Court, Waterside, St Helens, WA9 1TT or email the signed form from your NHS email account to merseycare
Shifts (LOOP – how to book and cancel shifts)
Loop - the new way to access rosters, book annual leave and pick up bank shifts
Employee Online is being phased out, replaced by an updated app version of the same system – called Loop.
Loop is designed to give you greater control over your work life, enabling you to view your personal schedule anywhere and at any time, request leave, log call outs and request bank duties.
Whereas previously you would need to be logged into a computer to access Employee Online, Loop gives you greater flexibility and improved access to your work schedule, particularly for those staff who have limited access to a computer.
Read more about LOOP and access user guides and videos on YourSpace https://yourspace.merseycare.nhs.uk/people-and-development/workforce/loop
Q: How do I see and book shifts?
A: Shifts can be booked through LOOP which is an App based service available from your Smartphone store, links below -
Google play store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.allocatesoftware.loop&hl=en-GB&pli=1
Apple app store
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/allocate-loop/id1537874065
once you have completed your induction and elearning. You will be sent a username, password and a link to access the site.
Q: How do I get my LOOP account re-set?
A: Please contact Temporary Staffing team who can reset the password for you.
Q: Why can I not see any or only limited bank availability on LOOP?
A: The usual cause of this is low shift availability, when a ward or service requests support the shift will be published to LOOP and made available for you to book. It is important to also maintain your training compliance as this may restrict access to certain services, you can review your compliance on ESR and arrange a refresher with the Temporary Staffing office.
Q: How do I cancel a bank shift I can no longer work?
A: You can cancel a bank shift by calling/emailing the Temporary Staffing office. We require a minimum of four hours notice before shift start time if cancelling, as per the bank T&Cs.
Mandatory training
Q: Do I require a refresher training session?
A: Yes, anyone who works on an inpatient ward needs to be trained in PSS as this is now mandatory. Initially this is done as part of induction, then a face-to-face refresher is needed every 12 months. All bank workers are also required to complete annual elearning, this can be completed via ESR and is paid at a rate of 45 minuets per module. To discuss compliance for bank staff or arrange face to face training please email bankstaffmandatorytraining
Q: Can I work on a secure ward?
A: If you are assigned to mental health care division (local bank) you are not permitted to work in secure division until completing a suitability interview. Applications can be made online by submitting a formal application for a vacancy listed on the Trust website.
The Temporary Staffing Team
Q: How do I raise a concern regarding conduct, compliance or other concerns
A: Your new temporary staffing clinical managers can support with supervision, concerns and offer support to all temporary staffing workers within Mersey Care. To contact the team or find out more email: tsclinical
Q: How do I contact the Operational Temporary Staffing Team?
A: The Temporary Staffing team operate from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on weekends (closed bank holidays). Helpdesk - 0151 471 2338
Temporary Staffing Divisional mailboxes:
For Bank worker and shift enquiries, please raise to the appropriate divisional mailbox -
For Queries relating to Mental Health Care Division bank email: MHCBank@merseycare.nhs.uk
For queries relating to our Secure Care Division bank email: securebank
For queries relating to our Community Care Division bank email: Communitybank
Additional support mailboxes are also available -
Reference requests, agency notices and home office references email: Bankleaversandreferences
For enquiries relating to training attendance and payment: banktimesheets
For enquiries relating to bank only training contact bankstaffmandatorytraining
For queries relating to bank staff uniforms please email bankstaff
For queries relating to bank staff training please email bankstaffmandatorytraining