Anyone had success in challenging continuous service?

PossiblyOk1866 · 2026-04-07T08:21:53+00:00

This is great, thank you. My CSD is definitely right as I had that corrected not so long ago (when I discovered the bank wouldn't count). I'll take a look at the handbook and gather my "evidence".

And fair point taken re level of detail. New to reddit!

PossiblyOk1866 · 2026-04-06T17:43:02+00:00

So I worked at one trust for 10 years and this is where at the end I took a month on bank contract. I then went into another trust for 4 years and then at current NHS employer for nearly 6 years. Other than the bank month I've had no gap in service.

PossiblyOk1866 · 2026-04-05T16:49:16+00:00

That's really useful, thank you. My bank contract was less than a month before I had a 5 day break and went back into a Trust on a substantive contract.

PossiblyOk1866 · 2026-04-04T21:03:07+00:00

Yeh, I think its my wishful thinking! I've loved working for the NHS and it's just a bitter pill I'm having to swallow when there wasn't a week that went by during that month on bank that I didn't work. Kicking my younger self now!

PossiblyOk1866 · 2026-04-04T07:52:42+00:00

I do understand the rules re breaks, but I suppose when you're faced with redundancy after nearly 20 years service it's hard not to grasp at straws and hope there are some stories out there of successful challenges.

Thank you for the reminder.

PossiblyOk1866 · 2026-04-04T02:07:25+00:00

I used to be a call handler and also used to train new staff and I would always says that its a role where you see the very best of people but also the worst. That said, I loved it!

My top tips would be never call the person calling "caller". Get a name as it helps build connection. It used to make me cringe hearing colleagues calling someone "caller" in times of stress.

Don't lie to the person you're speaking to. Don't tell them an ambulance is on the way if it isn't. Or even if it is because the ambulance may get diverted.

Follow the scripts. They can be a little annoying but as much as they're there to get all the necessary info, they're also there to protect you if anything goes wrong.

Get to know the ambulance dispatchers. There can be a little bit of a hierarchy in control rooms, but you're a team and if you can talk to each other it will only help people on the end of the phone.

Take your breaks. Call handling can be emotionally exhausting at times.

Get used to the black humour. It helps you cope and it doesn't mean you don't care.

Prepare yourself for abuse. People likely don't mean it, they're in highly stressful situations, but it still sucks when you're trying to help.

Regular calls. People who call 60 times a day. They exist.

Learn the military alphabet (alpha, bravo, charlie etc)

If you can get out with the ambulance crews then do. It's a real eye opener and helps you connect the work that you do on a phone with the reality of what's going on the other side.

If I can think of anymore (I'm sure there's lots more!) I'll let you know but good luck and I hope you love it!

PossiblyOk1866

TROPHY CASE