Great Western Hospitals Foundation Trust is awarding its staff a bonus payment for working overtime during the busy winter season.

The bonus scheme, which pays out between £25 and £65 for every shift in which employees work overtime, depending on the banding of their role, will be reviewed in February 2014.

It is also offering employees an ‘allocate on arrival’ payment of £60 if they work an extra shift in any area of the trust, depending where support is needed.

A spokesperson for the Great Western Hospitals Foundation Trust, said: “We are offering nursing staff, midwives and allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, the opportunity to earn extra pay for working extra shifts.

“This is to reward our hardworking staff who are going above and beyond to provide high-quality patient care throughout what will be a very busy and challenging winter.

“Offering staff the opportunity to work extra shifts means patients are being cared for by staff who are familiar with our wards.

“Paying staff in this way is better value for money for the taxpayer because it’s more cost effective than using agency staff.

“Our staff work incredibly hard 24/7, 365 days a year, often in challenging circumstances, and this is an extra thank-you to those who are willing to help out at our busiest times.”