A BELEAGURED hospitals trust has urged its managerial staff to not use "non-clinical" bank staff for the final week of the month as part of cost-cutting measures as it tackles a a multi milion pound budget deficit.

But it has employed the services of an expensive financial trouble-shooter nick-named 'Marbella Man' by the media.

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Basildon (and Orsett), Southend and Broomfield hospitals, is currently on track to record an £85 million deficit in the current financial year.

The Trust has told local bosses not to use temporary staff during the final week of September, according to an email seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Bank staff' are individuals hired on a flexible, temporary basis to fill roles that do not involve direct patient care but are crucial for hospitals' daily operation and support. Examples include porters and cleaners as well as administrative, estates, IT, security and catering roles. 

The trust has insisted the use of bank staff has not been banned or stopped entirely, with hundreds in essential roles working this week, but reviewing and potentially pausing non-essential staffing costs and bank staff in "non-clinical" areas is part of its wider cost-saving work as it grapples with a planned £85million deficit for the 2025/26 financial year.

To address the planned deficit, it is aiming for £118 million in savings during the year.

Measures include significant workforce reductions — last year 683 jobs were reduced which was short of the 840 planned. This year an additional 250 job cuts are required on top of the requirement in 2024/25.

Dawn Scrafield, chief finance officer for the Trust, said: "We must always spend taxpayers' money wisely and so are reviewing all reasonable options to improve efficiency and reduce spend, while continuing to deliver safe, high-quality care to our patients.

"One of the areas under review is how we reduce temporary staffing spend, including non-essential bank staff, where it is appropriate and safe to do so."

Financial trouble-shooter Phillip Burns, who reportedly earns £2,000 a day for his services, has been brought in to join a team tasked with delivering £118 million in savings.

Mr Burns previously made headlines in 2021 when it was revealed he earned £370,000 over nine months as interim recovery director for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in Wales. During his time with Betsi Cadwaladr, he worked from his luxury home in Marbella.

Asked about Mr Burns' appointment, a spokesperson for NHS England, said the NHS must "live within its means" and added: "Any costs incurred from hiring temporary external expertise – which is provided on site – is significantly outweighed by the benefit of the trust meeting its financial plans."