This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20920740

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Barts Health NHS Trust pays nearly £1m a year in error Barts and the London NHS Trust in £1m overpay error
(about 5 hours later)
A London NHS trust has overpaid its staff by a total of nearly £1m a year since 2010, documents have revealed.A London NHS trust has overpaid its staff by a total of nearly £1m a year since 2010, documents have revealed.
In one case, a doctor was paid £4,000 a month for nearly four years for on-call duties he or she was not doing. In one case, a doctor was paid £4,000 a month by Barts and the London NHS Trust for nearly four years for on-call duties he or she was not doing.
An audit report released by the Barts Health NHS Trust in east London said a debt-collecting agency had to be employed to reclaim the money.An audit report released by the Barts Health NHS Trust in east London said a debt-collecting agency had to be employed to reclaim the money.
The trust said it rigorously pursued all salary overpayments.The trust said it rigorously pursued all salary overpayments.
Barts Health was formed last year by the merger of Barts and The London NHS Trust and two other trusts.
Paid in errorPaid in error
An audit report and other documents were released under a Freedom of Information request by the Health Service Journal. The audit report and other documents were released under a Freedom of Information request by the Health Service Journal.
They showed that during the 2010/11 financial year, 329 salary overpayments worth £971,000 were made.They showed that during the 2010/11 financial year, 329 salary overpayments worth £971,000 were made.
In the last financial year to April 2012, £995,000 was paid in error.In the last financial year to April 2012, £995,000 was paid in error.
Most overpayments were made to those in areas involving emergency care and acute medicine, and ambulatory services.Most overpayments were made to those in areas involving emergency care and acute medicine, and ambulatory services.
The figures relate to staff members at St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City of London, the Royal London in Whitechapel and the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green.The figures relate to staff members at St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City of London, the Royal London in Whitechapel and the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green.
'Has to stop''Has to stop'
The trust said the amount was 0.25% of its total salary bill of £393 million.The trust said the amount was 0.25% of its total salary bill of £393 million.
A report to the trust management board in October 2012 by newly-appointed director of human resources Michael Pantlin said: "Barts Health overpays staff circa £1m per year - much of which is lost. This has to stop."A report to the trust management board in October 2012 by newly-appointed director of human resources Michael Pantlin said: "Barts Health overpays staff circa £1m per year - much of which is lost. This has to stop."
The problem has been put down to managers not promptly relaying staff changes to the payroll department.The problem has been put down to managers not promptly relaying staff changes to the payroll department.
Mr Pantlin said: "There can be no quick fix to the overpayments issue unless the executive team endorse a change in management behaviours and begin to hold managers to account."Mr Pantlin said: "There can be no quick fix to the overpayments issue unless the executive team endorse a change in management behaviours and begin to hold managers to account."
At the end of 2011, 70% of people who had been overpaid were being pursued by debt-collecting agencies to recover the money.At the end of 2011, 70% of people who had been overpaid were being pursued by debt-collecting agencies to recover the money.
Ian Walker, director of corporate affairs, said the trust was introducing simpler electronic forms for reporting staff leavers and that management guidelines had been reissued.Ian Walker, director of corporate affairs, said the trust was introducing simpler electronic forms for reporting staff leavers and that management guidelines had been reissued.
He said data on salary overpayments would be considered at managers' performance review meetings and repeat offenders would be subject to disciplinary action.He said data on salary overpayments would be considered at managers' performance review meetings and repeat offenders would be subject to disciplinary action.
In 2011, Barts and The London NHS Trust announced it would cut 635 jobs over two years to reduce costs.In 2011, Barts and The London NHS Trust announced it would cut 635 jobs over two years to reduce costs.
The total saving from the job losses was expected to be £30m.The total saving from the job losses was expected to be £30m.
Barts Health was formed last year by the merger of Barts and The London NHS Trust and two other trusts.