Chirk nurse claims she was 'thrown out' of hospital role

Carolyn Roberts, aged 66, has spent the last 43 years working at Chirk Community Hospital.

She worked as ward manager and then as an emergency nurse practitioner in the minor injuries unit, and wanted to carry on her work which has recently been managing outpatients.

But she says after taking the 'retire and return' path she had not realised that she would then be given a fixed-term contract.

It meant that she retired last week.

Chirk Community Hospital

Carolyn said: "I was told there were no conditions attached to my contract, and my pay scale following my retire and return, that’s why I went ahead and actioned it.

"This was in November 2020, in July 2020 there were rumours I was retiring at the end of the year. I went to the matron to ask if she could quell those rumours. To my horror she confirmed this was true, and I had a fixed term 12 month contract to November 2021.

"I was so shocked and upset."  

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Carolyn said she had then asked if she could continue working, but on the lower pay grade, band 6, but this was refused and she was told she must retire.

"The job is there and will be advertised as a band 6," she said. 

"I feel there is an element of ageism. My work was never questioned. I had built the outpatient department up over the years. Setting up dermatology minor ops for example, and starting many more services for the local community.

"I feel really upset about the whole situation."

A letter from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's (BCUHB) Human Resources (HR) team to the Unison union regarding Carloyn's case stated that people taking the retire and return route should be given a permanent contract "unless there are good business reasons for not doing so". And that any decision to issue a fixed term contract should be "escalated" to the HR team for further discussion before any decision is made. 

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It also states that a review of fixed term contracts issued over the last year will be undertaken to "asses whether any contractual changes are required". 

BCUHB has said it will support the nurse to return to work.

Carolyn said: "It was not my choice, I would have liked to carry on, but sadly that choice was taken from me. I have enjoyed every minute of my career, and would not have changed a thing. I am really sad it has come to an end.

"I have a kidney problem and so I could have said that I would not work through Covid. But I could not have done that - I was determined to carry on working.

"I have a lot more to give to the NHS but I am not being allowed to."

Sue Green, executive director of workforce and organisational development at BCUHB, said: "We would like to congratulate Carolyn on her 43 years at Chirk Community Hospital and an incredible 48 years in total for the NHS, we are extremely grateful to Carolyn for her lifetime of dedication.

"We cannot comment on a member of staff's contract, but we have assured Carolyn that this follows Health Board policies and procedures when retiring. We encourage Carolyn to stay in touch and we would support her in returning to work."