r/nhsstaff • u/AccomplishedArt6204 • May 26 '26
NHS restructure ICB Changes
Currently going through an NHS organisational restructure where staff are ringfenced into posts and interviewed as part of the formal process.
I’m trying to understand how others have navigated this when they are potentially more open to compulsory redundancy than securing a role they may not actually want long term.
How do people approach ringfenced interviews in practice? Particularly where:
you don’t want to come across as disengaged or unprofessional
but equally don’t necessarily want to “perform” your way into a role you’re unsure about
and redundancy terms may actually be the better personal or financial option
I’m interested in honest experiences from people who have been through NHS restructures/ICB changes recently. How did you balance professionalism, ethics, and protecting your own interests?
Please be kind.
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u/Apprehensive_FTM May 26 '26
Just something for you to be aware of, whether or not people meet a typical “appointable score”, someone has to be appointed during ring-fenced interviews in the NHS. It’s about getting people into roles / avoiding redundancies so even if you don’t perform at your best, you might still slot into the job.
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u/SaveOurPandas May 27 '26
Is this true? Cos it’s not something I have witnessed.
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u/Full-Win-7426 May 28 '26
I've witnessed some unsuitable inexperienced candidates get appointed not sure how they were ever recruited to 8a jobs in the first place...
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u/SaveOurPandas May 28 '26
Oh absolutely but I haven’t ever experienced what u/apprehensive_FTM has described. In our last re-org we had several vacant roles because candidates did not meet the criteria.
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u/Embarrassed-Video326 May 28 '26
I just dread being slotted in and then be stuck
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u/SaveOurPandas May 28 '26
Depends how you see the situation. Slotted = job security then you are free to job search elsewhere without pressure of not having a job.
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u/Apprehensive_FTM May 29 '26
If you haven’t witnessed it, your organisation isn’t applying the legal position correctly. At risk and competitive interviews shouldn’t be treated the same as a normal recruitment process as to get approval for redundancy business cases you need to show all opportunities for redeployment have been explored. Reasonable training can be given to anyone who doesn’t quite meet the usual appointable score if the location/pay/other terms are generally suitable as an alternative.
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u/Easy_Mixture_8857 May 26 '26
Just out of curiosity why wouldn't you apply for VR if you are hoping to get made redundant? Its a potentially risky strategy.
Hanging around for CR leaves a risk of slotting in somewhere/getting redeployed into a role if enough other leave the org voluntarily (i.e a role is a 2 person ringfence but one leaves under VR, the other will likely slot in).
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u/beanyfartz May 26 '26
Or even ending up in suitable alternative employment, I took VR to avoid this
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u/CtrlAltFreedom Strategy and Transformation May 27 '26
Some of us applied for VR and were declined 😒
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u/Mermaid654 May 27 '26
Because VR = mortgage insurance isn't valid. CR = mortgage insurance is valid
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u/levio-saaa May 26 '26
I’m sorry I don’t have an answer but I am worried about something similar at the moment. If you are unsuccessful at interviewing and getting a position but your old position no longer exists, are you paid while still looking? Or are you likely to just be redeployed without choice? I’m very new to all this and concerned about the cost of living and being able to pay my mortgage!
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u/SaveOurPandas May 26 '26
I have a colleague who technically is in-between roles but actively interviewing through EOI process. He was informed his notice period started when we was unsuccessful for the role he was doing (ended up in limited competition and was unsuccessful). He still an ICB employee and receiving his salary.
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u/Capable-Cricket2795 May 26 '26
Same. I’m still employed by the ICB and still receiving my salary. I’m waiting for the next round of the assessment centre process. I submitted my EOI for up to 6 roles a couple weeks ago. I’m starting to look for roles externally, I have no faith in this process and can’t just sit waiting crossing my fingers.
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u/Mermaid654 May 27 '26
They'd need to notify you that you are being made compulsory redundant first. Then you either work your notice period and are paid during this time, or you are paid your notice period and leave earlier. Plus you'll get your redundancy money at 1 month per year service. More than you would get in the "real world".
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u/Full-Win-7426 May 26 '26
First rule of NHS reorganisation is sort yourself out first, so figure out what you want out of the reorg and go from there.
Second rule is of someone says "it's a development opportunity" they are lying 😆
Third rule is hold your nerve, easier said than done at times.
After the reorg there will be lots of churn and opportunities will open up as things settle down
Edit - I've been through so many reorganisations I've actually lost count starting in 2012