HOSPITAL bosses in Bradford have responded to concerns over changes to pay for NHS bank staff.

During the Covid pandemic, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it introduced a "significant" increase to the normal rates of pay for bank work to meet staffing demands.

The trust has now confirmed those increased rates have been "gradually reduced over a period of time", bringing them back to normal levels of pay.

NHS bank staff can choose how many hours they want to work and when in line with vacant duties available.

A Bradford Royal Infirmary nurse, who did not want to be named, said nurses were cancelling bank shifts due to the pay changes.

A trust spokesperson said: "During the Covid-19 pandemic, we added a significant increase to the normal rates of pay for bank work due to increased staffing needs. This was introduced in early 2020.

"This increase was gradually reduced over a period of time, working towards removing any additional payments to align with normal rates of pay and to ensure the rates are consistent with those for permanent staff.

"This is in line with other NHS organisations across the region and country.

"We are confident that these changes are not having an adverse impact on our staffing levels."