Volunteers told they are no longer required (From Witney Gazette)

Volunteers told they are no longer required

3:02pm Tuesday 12th December 2006 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

VOLUNTEERS are angry they are being suddenly replaced by paid staff at Witney Community Hospital.

The 17 people who man the reception desk of the hospital voluntarily have been told they are no longer required, as a full-time receptionist, or two part-time receptionists are to be employed.

Gordon Price, 75, who has volunteered on the reception desk for almost ten years, said: "The whole idea of using volunteers was to save money for the hospital, and the system worked well. Now they are going to be paying £15,000 a year at least to employ a full-time receptionist, when they could have had volunteers working for free.

"What has made the volunteers most angry is that we were not consulted, there was no hint at all, we were just told by letter.

"Little wonder the volunteers are feeling resentful and frustrated their goodwill and genuine interest in the success of the hospital has been so peremptorily curtailed. It is such a pity that the goodwill has been cut off and will go to waste."

The volunteers have been told they can fill in during holidays or sickness.

Liz Hall-Bakker, of Witney, a former nurse, said: "Why change it now? Do they have the money to spend? No. It's ridiculous.

"These are mainly retired people, who give up their time willingly and for the pleasure they get from helping the people of Witney. Some had quite high-powered jobs. It's not as if they are not capable."

Barry Norton, leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "It's the first I have heard of it, but it seems strange they would take the decision without talking it through with the volunteers who have served them so well for so many years, without knowing what they think."

Alison Brumfitt, corporate communications manager for Oxfordshire PCT, said: "We do completely appreciate the work they have been doing, and we are very sorry if we have upset anybody. But the amount of work involved and the complexity involved with the role has got to the point where we need to employ a member of staff.

"Admin staff were increasingly being distracted by having to help the person on reception. Sometimes managing a rota of volunteers can be more costly than the money saved by the people working for free.

"Our message to volunteers is we are not trying to negate what they do. We are very grateful for it."

When asked why volunteers were not consulted, Ms Brumfitt said: "It is difficult to get 17 people who all volunteer at different times together for a meeting. This is not a new idea. It has been discussed with volunteers at meetings in the past."