Staff Benefits
Dorset County Hospital provides a range of benefits for working at the Trust. These benefits should be read in conjunction with your Total Reward Statement.
Pay and Conditions
Pay - The NHS Terms and conditions 2018 (AfC) pay scales can be found here
There are also pay enhancements to reward out of hours, shift and overtime working.
Annual Leave - We offer 27 days, plus bank holidays. This rises to 29 days after five years of service and 33 days after 10 years of service.
Pay and Conditions (Medical)
Pay - The medical rates of pay can be found here.
Junior Doctors – Up to six weeks, plus eight bank holidays and two extra statutory days.
Consultants – six weeks, (rising to six weeks and two days after seven years) plus eight bank holidays and two extra statutory days.
Speciality Doctors – Up to six weeks, plus eight bank holidays and two extra statutory days.
NHS Pension Scheme
Membership of the NHS pension scheme is automatic when you join us. From April 1 2019 we contribute 20.6% of your pensionable pay towards the cost of your pension.
Click here for more information regarding your pension.
Health and Wellbeing
A healthy workforce is important to us. We offer a range of initiatives to help support staff health and wellbeing, both internal and external to the Trust.
- VivUp Staff Benefits and Support
- Financial Support
- Self-referral to Physiotherapy
- Live Well Dorset
- Steps 2 Wellbeing
- Occupational Health
- Dedicated Mental Health First Aiders
- Chaplaincy Service
- Freedom to Speak Up Guardians
- Health and Wellbeing Champions
Stress Management and Sickness Absence
The Trust recognises that occasionally employees experience ill health and need to take time away from work. We support staff through illness and offer phased returns if needed. The Trust also believes in supporting staff to manage workplace pressures, by providing a safe working environment.
Getting Active
Walking Routes - We believe exercising in a social environment is good for the mind and body, and offer a walking club at lunchtimes.
Health and fitness - Staff get discounts at several gyms across Dorchester and surrounding towns.
Exercise Classes - The Trust also offers a range of exercise classes for our employees.
Travel to Work
Cycle to work - Get a brand new bicycle and accessories, worth up to £1,000, at a discounted rate from Halfords. You can benefit from tax and national insurance savings through the salary sacrifice scheme.
Car parking - parking is currently free for staff on the hospital site (until at least the end of March 2023).
Public transport discounts - all permanent staff are entitled to 20% discount on First Buses when using the phone app.
Relocation
The Trust offers relocation and removal expenses subject to eligibility criteria.
Family Friendly Benefits
Childcare - You can get up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. If you get Tax-Free Childcare, the government will pay £2 for
every £8 you pay your childcare provider via an online account. You can use this to pay for approved childcare. Tax-Free Childcare is available at the same time as 30 hours free childcare, if you are eligible for both.
Flexible working - The Trust is committed to facilitating flexible ways of working for our staff, to help balance work and home life.
Maternity leave - our occupational maternity leave package includes eight weeks of full pay, 18 weeks of half pay and lower rate statutory pay and 13 weeks of lower rate statutory only pay. Criteria applies.
Paternity leave - ordinary paternity leave entitlement is two weeks of paid leave to
be taken within 56 days of the baby’s birth. Additional unpaid paternity leave of up to 26 weeks is also available.
Parental leave - the Trust offers unpaid leave of up to 18 weeks for each child up until their 18th birthday.
Shared parental leave - shared parental leave allows parents to share the care of their child for the first 12 months of their life. Criteria applies.
Adoption leave - ordinary adoption leave is available for up to 26 weeks, and additional adoption leave for a further 26 weeks. Pay is
equivalent to maternity leave.
Learning and Development
We offer a range of learning and development opportunities for staff across the Trust, with the hospital having a dedicated Education Centre. As well as a variety of clinical and non-clinical courses, we also offer leadership courses
which are available to all staff. Our Education Centre is also host to our Hospital Library
which is available to staff 24/7. We also have online library services available.
Reward and Recognition
GEM Awards - every year the hospital opens nominations to recognise staff who go the extra mile for an annual awards ceremony.
Hospital Hero Awards - staff and patients are given the opportunity to nominate
staff who have gone the extra mile to provide outstanding care on a monthly basis.
Long Service Awards - Staff are recognised for 25 years of continuous service in the
NHS.
Discounts and Benefits
National Discount Schemes - all staff have access to a variety of national NHS discount
schemes. These include: Health Services Discounts; PSCashback Black Card; Rewards for Rescue Scheme; Blue Light Card.
The Trust is also part of the VivUp and Red Guava benefit scheme, and offers via the DCHFT Staff App, which enables staff to take advantage of a wide range of offers.
On-site catering - Staff at the hospital will receive a discount on all food and drink in both Damers Restaurant and the Terrace Café upon presentation of their ID badge. Staff also have access to hot meals outside of the restaurant and café’s opening hours through a vending machine located next to PALS in North Wing Level 1.