- Conference
- 2006 Health Care Service Group Conference
- Date
- 22 December 2005
- Decision
- Carried
We welcomed the national student nurse survey, which was conducted by UNISON and the Nursing Times this year. However it is clear from previous health conference motions that other students including Occupational Therapists, Operating Department Practitioners and Paramedic diploma and degree students face similar financial hardship.
We therefore call on the SGE and relevant Sectors to work in partnership in 2006 and commission a joint national survey of health students undertaking diploma and degree courses.
We would request that the questions remain broadly similar to allow UNISON to monitor trends in the experiences of our student members.
We also call upon our national negotiators and the national nursing sector to continue discussions with the department of health on maternity bursary payments for students. We welcomed the interim arrangements, which were reached earlier this year; however it is clear that we must continue to facilitate a smooth return for any student returning to studies from maternity leave. Our negotiators should also seek to raise with the department of health the issue of a period of paid paternity time for any other student who may require it.
We would ask the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland regional health committees also seek to raise the issue of bursary rates in the other countries to reach an agreement, which at least replicates the existing arrangements in England.