Has anybody left the NHS, then eventually returned to the NHS on bank?

[Cheeseboardandcrackers]

Looking at options…
Something I’m thinking about doing when I retire, but is it too good to be true, to be able to pick your shifts/trust/hours etc when it suits you ???

Left or retired, whichever one..

My mum was a medical secretary in the NHS and retired last year but has done bank work ever since . She let's them know when she's available for work and they let her know what works available and where and she can say yes or no, however I think if you say no alot they stop asking so much and you've got to agree to a certain amount of availability so she wouldn't for instance be able to say I only want to work in the winter and have all summer off. She's really enjoyed a more flexible retirement as I think she was worried she might be bored but she's retiring fully in the summer.

My friend does bank work money is fantastic and can pick and choose .

You have to be prepared to be thrown in at the deep end as they move you to where ever they need you .

Yes, I did exactly that. I now work bank and it's great. No bank Holidays or weekends, and I just took three weeks off over Christmas. No stress either, once my shift is finished, I'm done. Don't get involved in any ' politics ' .

I did and it suits me. Much less stressful, as above removed from the 'politics', no supervising juniors or students and don't have to fight to get your time off, had two weeks off at Xmas whereas before I would only be allowed two days within the two week xmas/new year period. You do need to look into it though and depends what your role is. I didn't look into it, just retired then 18 months later was asked to go back to cover mat leave part time. What I didn't realise was bank band 6 is paid at bottom of scale whereas previously I was top of band, however, i believe if you do 'retire and return' you get paid at your normal rate so check it out with HR first (unlike me who on birthday weekend just decided to hand notice in and take pension early). Having said that you do get paid working time directive (WTD) which is holiday pay in money each month and with not having to pay into the pension each month it more or less balances itself out to be similar.

I left the NHS years ago when I had children and set up my own business. I have done enough bank shifts ever since to maintain my PIN number.

I just do the shifts and wards that suit me.

Thank you all for your replies something to think about 💐

Absolutely, loads of people do. Good for them but annoying for some posts as the jobs are full time roles but people leave them and then come back picking and choosing when to work, meaning there is no longer someone doing the role full time. For ward work etc though it's brilliant.

I think there's actually a special pension change at the moment anyway to allow you to retire and then come back on the bank straight away because of Covid. I can't remember the details but worth having a look.

My dad did this.

They ca him, tell him what shifts they have and then he says which he ones he wants.

Last year he decided to retire properly, but they have him down as unavailable as he wasn't sure if he would like nor working at all.

Mum retired as well, but sadly passed away a few weeks ago. He is taking sometime but now planning on returning to give him something to do.

@AlDanvers

My dad did this.

They ca him, tell him what shifts they have and then he says which he ones he wants.

Last year he decided to retire properly, but they have him down as unavailable as he wasn't sure if he would like nor working at all.

Mum retired as well, but sadly passed away a few weeks ago. He is taking sometime but now planning on returning to give him something to do.

Sorry to hear about your Mum @AlDanvers 💐

@Cheeseboardandcrackers thank you