- Conference
- 2016 Health Care Service Group Conference
- Date
- 18 December 2015
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference is concerned at the distinct lack of training, development and career progression opportunities available to NHS staff working in operational services roles, particularly those in pay bands 1-4. Investment and attention has always been focused on professionally qualified staff but in an NHS with ever changing ways of service delivery, operational services staff need to be sufficiently developed, equipped and have the opportunity to play their part in delivering improved care and new patient pathways.
Conference notes that operational services staff should contractually have access to appraisal, learning and development as outlined in the Agenda for Change terms and conditions agreement. Further to this, the NHS Constitution and parallel agreements in the devolved administrations include clear commitments that the NHS will provide all staff with personal development and access to appropriate training.
Conference recognises that many operational services members, especially those working in administrative and clerical roles are faced with career cul-de-sacs as organisations come under financial pressure and jobs are cut out of the career pathway. As a result, we have seen employers attempting to utilise staff to carry out work that should be done by higher banded staff. This is occurring at the same time that operational services staff are frequently down banded while being asked to undertake the same job role.
Conference calls on the Health Service Group Executive to:
1)Campaign for greater investment in training and development for operational services staff emphasising their right to appraisal and development.
2. Campaign for the creation of Career Pathways for all operational services staff , properly funded and open to all which will create real opportunities for our lower paid members.
3. Work closely with UNISON’s Learning & Organising Services and TUC Union Learn to promote the role of the Union Learning Rep as a key driver to increase workplace learning activities.
4. Work with employers, the health departments in the four UK countries and all relevant stakeholders, to champion the cause of operational services staff and campaign for better investment in their training and development.
5. Provide advice, guidance and support to regions and branches campaigning against the down banding of operational services members.
6. Work with the operational services occupational group to use this issue to organise and recruit staff working in operational services in the NHS.