- Conference
- 2022 Health Care Service Group Conference
- Date
- 8 December 2021
- Decision
- Carried
Conference is aware of the significant financial cuts in our Healthcare services in all four UK nations in at least the past three decades. Conference notes that where new facilities have been built, they have generally maximised the amount of clinical space but have minimised the amount of space allocated for other areas including changing and rest areas for staff. This has impacted hugely on welfare issues and working conditions of our members. The recent pandemic both highlighted and intensified many issues that had been of increasing concern for a long time.
Conference is agreed that we must lobby for all our members regardless of their grade or role in the Health Service to have access to adequate and comfortable break out spaces. We note that many parts of our Health Service are still operated in an antiquated and hierarchical manner and that in many areas, adequate break out facilities for Junior Doctors, Consultants and very senior staff members still exist while our ancillary support teams and others are left with limited space to go for a well-earned break. This practice of apparent discrimination to the lower-paid members of staff must stop. Conference is clear that all staff, regardless of grade, sex, gender, cultural background, disability must be afforded the same break out facilities and they must be adequate.
Conference notes further that we are now seeing cuts in the times of day our canteen services provide hot food to our members so not only is there a lack of space for break out but there is often nothing for them to eat during their working shift. Members on night shifts should not be limited to deliveries from burger chains to sustain them.
Women form the majority of our healthcare service workforce yet no consideration is given for a ventilated area where women experiencing menopausal symptoms can go for a break and cool down. Indeed, the strategies that are often suggested for managing menopause that form parts of menopause policies across the NHS are not open to staff who need to wear both standard uniform and PPE as part of their working day. This makes having appropriate space available even more important. This is just as important for pregnant workers, breastfeeding mothers and for the significant proportion of women who experience problems during their periods. Therefore it is important that not only space is available but that there is a need for space where women can get some aspects of privacy.
Conference calls on the Service Group Executive to work with the devolved nations to use the negotiating & partnership arrangements to:-
1) Establish standards for staff spaces in all healthcare environments, including spaces which can be accessed 24 hours a day and have a level of privacy
2) Co-ordinate campaigns for the availability of hot food for staff who are working outside times that onsite catering is available.