Posted 10 August 2018 - 11:17
Posted 10 August 2018 - 11:17
News
NHS trust offers affordable homes to nursing and other recruits
Salford Royal trust hopes incentive of temporary housing will help fill clinical vacancies
Salford Royal trust hopes incentive of temporary housing will help fill clinical vacancies
A trust in north west England is hoping to plug the gaps in its nursing workforce by offering affordable, temporary housing.
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust is working with a housing association to provide a rental complex of 26-flats for nurses, doctors and other clinical staff.
The trust, which employs 2,018 nurses in its hospital and community services, currently has 160 nursing vacancies and around 40 other gaps in the clinical workforce.
Support for staff moving into the area
It is hoped that by providing furnished accommodation for staff moving to Greater Manchester the trust will be able to attract new recruits.
Salford Royal group chief finance officer Ian Moston said: ‘Like most organisations in the NHS, we have a significant number of vacancies.
‘For most of us, the ability to live close to where we work is an important part of balancing work and home life. Through this partnership we hope to provide people choosing to come to Salford with good quality, affordable housing while they establish themselves in the city on a long-term basis.’
Staff will be able to rent the flats for up to six months.
Investment from the trust is minimal, thanks to a Homes England Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme grant of £780,000 and a £2 million investment from the housing association, Salix Homes.
Bringing empty housing backing into use
The development used to be a sheltered housing block, which has stood empty since floods in 2015. The complex will open in September and rent will be £490 per month with wi-fi for a one-bed apartment and £600 for a two-bedroom home. Rent will be collected by the trust as part of an employment package and paid to Salix Homes.
Salford City mayor Paul Dennett said: ‘Anything that can support staff who work for the NHS and bring more of their workers to our city is welcomed.’
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