NHS Dental Nurse qualified before lockdown

chaz333

Hi 

I know this is a long shot but I was hoping someone might be able to help? 

I qualified as a dental nurse in March 2020, my GDC registration was delayed due to the pandemic but was completed at the end of May.

I have a contract with my practice that said I would be due a payrise upon GDC registration but my practice has been operating throughout the crisis as a UDC clinic and so my wages have been through the NHS instead. My practice is saying that because the NHS is paying I will remain on minimum wage a trainee wage despite being fully qualified and registered.

This leaves me in the awkward situation where I could leave and get a nurse job at another practice at a qualified rate but if I do I will have to pay the practice back my training fees which is thousands of pounds. So I have to stay and remain at minimum wage, this doesn't seem fair on all nurses who also qualified in March. I will have lost out on nearly 6 months qualified wage and there is still no information on when I will be paid for being qualified or if I will ever get the money I have lost back?

I understand the NHS has specifically said that they will pay wages on the condition that those wages remain the same as before the pandemic, however I qualified on 24th January and recieved my certificate 7th March before it started and my payrise would have come into effect at the end of March.

Is there anyone that can help please? I've messaged everyone I can think of in the NHS and recieved no help

onwards&upwards

Did the contract you signed saying that you had to pay back your training costs if you left also state that they had to give you a post as a dental nurse on qualification? 

chaz333

The contract states 'I agree to remain employed by .......... Clinic for a minimum period of one year after completion of the training.'

jimkelly

chaz333 said:

The contract states 'I agree to remain employed by .......... Clinic for a minimum period of one year after completion of the training.'

Why not suggest to them that your contract be amended and that you'll agree to stay with them say 3 years, or 5 years, if they immediately pay you the wage you're now qualified for and deserve?

Of course, loyalty works both ways and if they're not willing to live up to their side of the contract, fulfil your minimum requirements, and nothing more, then move elsewhere to somewhere you will be respected.  It's not like there'll ever be a shortage of jobs for qualified dental professionals.  Know your worth.

chaz333

Because its not the practice that won't pay me a qualifier wage its the NHS

jimkelly

If you check the small print of the contract - upon successful GDC registration, does it specifically say that the NHS will be paying/employing you or they themselves [your employer]?

If it doesn't mention the NHS at all, or it states the latter, then I suspect they may be in breach of contract.  You could then suggest this be rectified by my earlier suggestion with goodwill on both sides.

chaz333

No my contract is with my practice but due to covid, the NHS has taken over paying wages 

[Deleted User]

Maybe seek legal advice from a solicitor? Many offer free 30minute consultations. 

chaz333

I'm not sure anyone can do anything legally, as this is NHS emergency measures due to covid, and is the same across the board. 

JCS1

Are you in a Union?  Might be worth contacting them for advice.

chaz333

No sadly not I did try to get in contact with some but they will only deal with an issue that happens after you sign up to be a member