- Conference
- 2024 National Health Care Service Group Conference
- Date
- 8 December 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that the NHS is best placed to deliver health services to the public, and to deliver value for money.
Conference notes that the NHS has successfully delivered sexual health services in Newcastle since its creation, and up until recently, this was commissioned by the local authority. From 2023, this service will be provided to Newcastle residents by the private sector.
At the point of TUPE transfer, the service consisted of 75 staff; consultants, speciality doctors, doctors in training, nurses, health advisors, health care assistants, screening and health promotion staff, managers and data analysts, administrative staff and more. These staff are no longer employed by an NHS Trust.
Conference notes there is an opportunity for cross-branch collaboration to engage with the commissioning process with a view to health services being delivered in-house.
Conference asks the Health Service Group Executive to:
1. Encourage branches to engage with employers about the commissioning process with the aim of keeping services within the public sector and retaining health services in the NHS.
2. Promote UNISON’s bargaining guidance and advice on this issue.
3. Encourage cross branch collaborative working where relevant, for example when the commissioning body has a UNISON branch.
4. Encourage branches to share good practice of engaging with and influencing the commissioning process.