Mental Health On Call - FOI Response Register

1. What is the model of medical on call for Mental Health services, ?

Mental Health Nurses first on call, Consultant Psychiatrist second on call

2. How is the on call rota staffed?

By mental health nurses and Psychiatrists

3. Is there a second on call arrangement in place?

As Q1

4. What is the cost of delivering clinical mental health on-call per month and per annum?

Under FOISA s 12(1), NHS Shetland is not obliged to comply with a request if the estimated cost of doing so exceeds £600. Having reviewed your request, NHS Shetland has determined that the cost of compliance would exceed £600 and so is unable to provide the information requested; we have provided a breakdown of the estimated costs below:

Information regarding the cost of delivering clinical mental health on-call is not automatically collected by NHS Shetland. To answer would require manually reviewing all relevant invoices of 1 year.

NHS Shetland contract staff from 5 locum agencies who each issue separate weekly invoices. Additionally each agency issues separate invoices for day and night time periods. Furthermore the time taken for a manual review of invoices would be increased due to the need to separate on-call and non on-call as well as managerial and non-managerial costs which are listed on the same invoices.

We estimate this would take longer than 40 hours.

Staff costs are capped at £15.00 per hour so where the time taken would be greater than 40 hours the cost of compliance would therefore exceed £600.

NHS Shetland may be able to provide a response to a new, narrower request for which the cost of compliance would not exceed the cost threshold. Please let us know if you would like to submit such a request.

5. What is the cost of delivering managerial on call for mental health per month and per annum.

See response to Q4.

6. What is the payment model for on-call?  For example, do those participating in the on-call rota receive an on-call allowance? Is this a fixed amount or percentage and does this vary by staff group?

NHS staff employed under Agenda for Change terms and conditions receive an allowance for being on call. The rate per period of on call is currently £22.60, and applies to all AfC staff groups. The document outlining on call terms and conditions is https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pcs/PCS2015(AFC)03.pdf

7. If the payment is a fixed amount or percentage, how much is this per hour/what is the percentage by staff group?

Fixed amount per on call period. Maximum number of on call periods in a week = 9.

8. Do staff get paid for actual overtime worked as part of on call?  Do they also receive time off in lieu?

For work done as a result of being on call a call out payment is paid; this is the same rate as overtime. Time off in lieu can be taken as opposed to the call out payment. 

9. How many doctors are involved in the provision of on call services?

2, but only 1 at a time

10. What are the grades of the doctors involved in the provision of on call services?

Consultants

11. Do the doctors involved in the provision of on call receive additional P.A.'s?

No

12. If they receive additional PA's, is there a requirement to provide prospective cover?  If so what are the arrangements?

N/A

13. If Mental Health on call is not provided on the Island, where is it provided?

N/A

14. If Mental Health on call is provided by another organisation, which organisation provides it?

N/A

15. If Mental Health on call is provided by another organisation, is there a contract in place for this?

N/A

16. If there is a contract for Mental Health on call with another organisation, what is the annual cost of this?

N/A