NHS trust calls in bailiffs after staff overpayment error

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Partnership NHS Trust (SSOTP) has turned to the services of a debt collection agency after 316 NHS and social care workers received a total overpayment of £200,000.

The trust is already £2.5million in debt, and has written off £20,000 relating to the wage glitch already.

SSOTP bosses have asked for the money back and arranged easy payments for workers who can’t afford it.

Ian Syme, Co-ordinator of pressure group North Staffordshire Healthwatch, criticised the decision: “Past and present staff do have a duty to pay this extra money back, but debt collectors should not be used.