- Conference
- 2010 Health Care Service Group Conference
- Date
- 11 December 2009
- Decision
- Carried
The National Nursing Sector recognises the unique and valuable contribution which healthcare assistants and all of their differing job titles, make to patient care. You are an essential part of the nursing team. However it has been clear for some time that a small number of organisations are expecting more and more commitment from Health Care Assistants but few progress under the Agenda for Change pay structure.
UNISON has rightly led the campaign for recognition for HCAs but now we are calling on all branches, regions and our national committee to step up the campaign to make sure that this valuable group of our workforce are recognised for their contribution and that they have equal access to both professional and pay progression. We have to ensure that we do not focus soley on access into professional courses, as important as that is for members. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to develop whether it’s to advance in their career or continue to do their current job to the best of their ability.
Regulation of this group of staff is an emerging issue. The Scottish Office have undertaken an employment led model of regulation whilst Wales and Northern Ireland may choose a new concept of licensing for this group of staff. UNISON should develop an education programme based on core minimum competencies for healthcare assistants, they should be able to transcend across health and social care and should be mapped against a regulatory frame work which takes account of the new Vetting & Barring scheme which is scheduled to start to come into effect in July 2010.
Conference we call for the following:-
The National Nursing Sector to work in partnership with other parts of the union
·Develop a set of minimum competencies for HCAs across differing healthcare settings, to engage with our HCAs to do this
·To hold an annual HCA conference in 2010 and to use this to consult with members and service about the role and competencies
·To develop a regulatory frame work around the competencies which can be consulted upon & which takes account of differing legislation in the four countries
·Develop clear material based on the A4C banding what can reasonably be expected of HCAs
·Develop advice on how an HCA can seek a review of their pay band if they feel that their role has changed
Regions should:-
·Consider holding in collaboration with other stakeholders such as the Open University, HCA conferences and education day events
·Develop a regional recruitment and development campaign
·Develop a virtual contact group for HCAs to enable them to become more engaged in regional activities.
Branches should: –
·Develop local recruitment campaigns
·Work in partnership with regional colleagues to run education sessions for HCAs
·Develop a net work of HCAs within their branch to support them in the development of this work