FOUNDATION TRUSTS – ENGLAND

Conference notes the Government’s intention for all English NHS Trusts to attain Foundation status by 2008. It further notes that the pace and number of Trusts applying for Foundation status is increasing. UNISON maintains a position of opposition to Foundation Trusts (FTs) and recognises that the additional freedoms granted to FTs can potentially undermine not […]

JOBS IN THE NHS AFTER GRADUATION

Conference notes the financial difficulties currently facing the NHS and the effect that this is having on staffing levels. Conference expresses its concern that job freezes within the NHS are having a profound effect on the number of jobs available for new graduates in the health professions, including those completing their training in occupational therapy. […]

NHS KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FRAMEWORK

Conference notes that the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework is a system that defines and describes the knowledge and skills which NHS staff need to apply in their work in order to deliver quality services. It provides a single, consistent, comprehensive and explicit framework on which to base review and development for all staff and […]

RECRUITING AND ORGANISING IN PRIMARY CARE

Conference welcomes the excellent work of the primary care campaign to date and recognises the importance of the work already underway within UNISON to develop a training programme for stewards in primary care settings. Conference recognises the difficulties involved in recruiting potential members within primary care trusts, which are often dispersed over wide geographical areas, […]

BULLYING & HARASSMENT AND PARTNERSHIP WORKING

Conference welcomes UNISON’s excellent work in highlighting the issue of bullying and harassment. Bullying and harassment is one of the leading causes of stress and ill health in the workplace. Bullying is unacceptable, offensive, intimidating, malicious, insulting or humiliating behavior. It is an abuse of power that attempts to undermine staff. Harassment is conduct that […]

FINANCIAL PROBITY IN THE NHS

Conference notes with serious concern the unprecedented level of spending by the Government on global management consultants that advise on the marketisation and privatisation of the NHS. Public money paid to McKinsey Consultancy over the last 3 years has dramatically accelerated from spending £250 thousand in 2004 to £4 million in 2005 to almost £10 […]

NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE STAFFING CUTS

Conference notes with alarm the savage reductions in staffing levels of donor collection staff and the closure of processing centres. The reduction of staff in teams has meant consistent understaffing, leading to stress, extended working days with the resultant damage to personal and family life. Whilst UNISON recognises the fall in demand for blood, it […]

UNSOCIAL HOURS

Conference notes the report on the progress towards agreeing a new unsocial hours payment scheme for all NHS workers covered by the Agenda for Change agreement. We are concerned that these proposals will leave members in some branches worse off than the interim arrangements – for example ambulance members working a full 24 hour rota. […]

JOINED UP EQUALITY

Conference notes the requirements for Equality Schemes and Equality Impact Assessments under the provisions for ‘positive equalities duties’ relating to race, gender and disability. Conference further notes: 1. Recent equality legislation including the Employment Equality Regulations covering sexual orientation and religion or belief; the Civil Partnership Act; the provisions of the Equality Act 2006 banning […]

NHS LONG SERVICE RECOGNITION

Conference notes the various Award schemes run by different NHS Employers to reward unbroken long service to its employees. These awards taking the form of vouchers, badges, meals, hampers and certificates presented at certain stages of what that particular employer deems as long service. Whilst this recognises the contribution and efforts of employees who have […]

HEALTH SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY SECTOR

Conference notes and supports the important historical role the community and voluntary sector has provided in shaping public services – not as an alternative for directly-employed public sector workers, but as an innovator, working with the NHS and campaigning for new ideas and ways of working. Examples include the maternity and midwifery services built up […]

SICKNESS ABSENCE POLICIES

Conference is appalled by the continuing discrimination by employers in the National Health Service towards disabled members when using Sickness Absence policies. Many Employers in both Private and Public Sectors of the NHS carry the two tick logo. Schemes like the ‘Bradford Factor’, where a disabled Members could pick up 1000’s of points with ongoing […]

NHS LOGISTICS

In September 2006, NHS Logistics showed their solidarity in strength with two one-day strikes, the 1st in the NHS for nearly 20 years. More than 85% were protesting about new labours continuing use of the private sector in the NHS. Unfortunately, NHS Logistics Members now have to work under DHL and a new name “NHS […]

BLUE LIGHT WORKERS & THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT

This Conference is concerned about the increasing number of members involved in Blue Light duties who are being subjected to punitive actions by their health service employers when their diabetes status is declared. Branches have reported that neighbouring fire and police authorities are continuing to make reasonable adjustments in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act […]

SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS UNDERGOING GENDER REASSIGNMENT

Conference welcomes the initial work on gender identity undertaken by the Department of Health’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Advisory Group (SOGIAG) and the NHS Scotland LGBT Health Inclusion Project. Conference welcomes the increased profile of transgender issues but notes that trans people still face considerable hurdles accessing healthcare and the NHS does not yet […]