NHS release date, what does this mean?

[Timeforsinging81]

I'm currently working in a clinical, patient facing role at B6 level but I have been interviewed and offered a different role which is non clinical within the same department.

My provisional job offer says "subject to a release date from (current line manager)" What does this actually mean? I'm leaving my current role due to poor staffing levels and we have posts unfilled from the beginning of the year, can my line manager delay my new start date by not 'releasing' me? He is currently rushing to finish rotas for Xmas and New Year, including me, despite knowing I have accepted a new role. Can't give notice until I have the formal offer.

It is usual when you are moving within the trust that your start date depends on when your current team can release you, hence a release date. Unfortunately this means that if staffing is short you can be waiting a long time to be able to take up your new role.

Essentially it often means that if you are an external candidate you would probably be in post sooner than as an internal.

It’s up to the new and old teams to negotiate. It will come down to who has a more convincing case that they need you and how easy it is to recruit a replacement.

I haven't worked in the NHS, but in a public sector organisation. When I moved roles internally my new manager had to agree a release date with my existing manager. It was about 4 months. It would have been three months quicker if I quit and went back straight away as an external candidate!

My colleague moved from a ban 6 to band 7 post in same trust….she had to wait 4 months for a release date as previous team short staffed..,.if she had moved to another trust she would have been able to go before….that’s just how it works

Hmm thank you for your replies, it's confirmed what I feared. I may have to start thinking of some leverage to enable me to start my new role sooner rather than later 🙄

I'd obviously be unable to have a gap between ending one role and starting the other as it would count as a break in service. Most of the staff in department are on at least stage 2 sickness due to stress related illnesses so it's frustrating that I'll be forced to continue in the current job and risk making myself unwell.