Features
AGENDA FOR CHANGE AT A GLANCEPay structure for all NHS posts (except doctors,
dentists and senior managers), arrived at through job evaluation,
using the principle of equal pay for work of equal value. Common core conditions for all employees. Three national pay spines - one for doctors and
dentists, one for other workers covered by the independent pay review
body process (such as nurses), and one for all other NHS employees
including administrative, clerical and ancillary staff. A single pay negotiating forum for all NHS workers not covered by the pay review bodies. |
Sweeping reforms of pay and conditions have been proposed for thousands of NHS workers – but unions are keen to emphasise that it's not yet a 'done deal', as Laurence Pollock reports
Agenda for Change
The Agenda for Change proposals on pay and modernisation in the National
Health Service have been slowly taking shape for nearly four years.
For a long time the fine details, initially tabled in February 1999,
were for connoisseurs only. But the recent publication of the draft plan,
by the government, has brought this potential watershed in health service
pay and conditions, center-stage.
"We are very concerned that talk about massive pay rises for health
workers is misleading and could raise false expectations," says UNISON
head of health Karen Jennings.
The media assumed that a new agreement had suddenly been brokered. But
there is no final agreement, only proposals, and there is still an enormous
amount of work to be done.
Before anything is agreed, the proposals must be put directly to thousands
of health service staff for their approval. UNISON will consider the proposals
at its annual health service group conference in the beginning of April,
before going to members for a full ballot.
Meanwhile, as a result of the firefighters' strike, UNISON will not begin
formal consultation on the Agenda for Change proposals while the firefighters'
strike is continuing.
The draft plan has been drawn up after painstaking discussion with health
service organisations. At its heart is a comprehensive job evaluation
programme that seeks to recognise flexibility and skills.
The new package will apply to all staff throughout the UK except doctors,
dentists and top managers. The Department of Health claims it means an
extra 12.5% on basic salaries over the next three years.
Current Whitley grades will be replaced with eight numbered pay bands
and incremental points in each band. All staff will be placed on a particular
band after a job evaluation process. Registered nurses, for example, would
start on band five with nurse consultants and modern matrons hitting band
eight.
Conditions of service - working hours and holidays - would be standardised.
Annual leave for all staff would be 27 days on appointment rising to 29
days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years. On top of this would be
bank and public holidays.
The government is aiming to have the new scheme fully operational by
October 2004. But 12 "early implementer" trusts will pilot the
proposals from Spring if they are agreed:
James Paget Healthcare, Norfolk
Guys and St Thomas's, London
CityHospitals, Sunderland
Papworth, Cambridge
Aintree Hospitals, Liverpool
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health
S W London and St George's Mental Health
West Kent
Herefordshire Primary Care
Central Cheshire Primary Care
North East Ambulance, Newcastle
East Anglian Ambulance, Norwich
More on UNISON’s healthcare unit
Contact the article's author Laurence Pollock
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