Ambulance Service Review

This Conference notes the forthcoming reorganisation of Ambulance Trusts in England in line with the proposed reconfigured Strategic Health Authority boundaries, in addition to the many other recommendations contained in the report “Taking Healthcare to The Patient”. Conference endorses the UNISON response document to the report and in particular that UNISON is broadly in favour […]

Developing Specialist Networking

This conference acknowledges the difficulties facing the more specialist staff in the NHS in various areas such as preparing job descriptions, knowledge and skills framework outlines and accessing information on career development and training and education opportunities. Within trusts and individual branches such staff are often at a disadvantage compared to colleagues in more generic […]

Health Care Assistants

We welcomed the launch of the code of conduct for Healthcare Assistants, which was called for at the 2005 HCA conference. The National Nursing Sector recognises the significance that regulation plays in acknowledging the vital contribution, which HCA make to patient care and the health care team. However the subject of regulation for HCA dates […]

PPA Capacity Improvement Programme

The Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) announced the creation of the Capacity Improvement Programme (CIP) in December 2003. Management stated that the aim for CIP was to increase the PPA’s prescription processing capacity deal with the rising intake without the need to open more processing divisions. At this time it was stated that rollout would be […]

Using the KSF to Promote Equality and Diversity

Conference notes the introduction of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) which will apply to all NHS staff as part of the Agenda for Change process. Conference also notes that the KSF has equality and human rights as a core dimension. As a consequence all employees will be required to demonstrate a commitment to equality […]

Student Poverty

We welcomed the national student nurse survey, which was conducted by UNISON and the Nursing Times this year. However it is clear from previous health conference motions that other students including Occupational Therapists, Operating Department Practitioners and Paramedic diploma and degree students face similar financial hardship. We therefore call on the SGE and relevant Sectors […]

Independent Sector Treatment Centres

Conference expresses its concern at the increasing fragmentation of the NHS and in particular the extended role of the private providers and the Independent Sector Treatment Centre (ISTC) programme. Despite constant referrals from this government to extending patient choice and reducing waiting lists, the ISTC programme in wave one has proved divisive, offered poor value […]

KSF – Helping Members to Access Learning

This Conference notes that the Knowledge & Skills Framework will give all NHS staff employed on Agenda for Change terms and conditions, a contractual right to learning and development opportunities in their work. Under the KSF, every staff member will have an annual Development Review meeting with their line manager and jointly agree arrangements whereby […]

Contestability in Mental Health Services

This conference is extremely alarmed at the concept of “contestability” being introduced into mainstream NHS mental health services. Whilst we acknowledge that the voluntary sector currently provides some services such as advocacy and service user representation, we are convinced that the majority of mainstream mental health services should continue to be provided by the statutory […]

Non-Implementation of Agenda for Change Agreement

This Health Conference expresses its dismay and disappointment at the failure within some areas of the Ambulance Service to implement the outcome of matching panels for the banding of Ambulance Staff. Conference further notes the statement of one Trust Chief Executive that they would not pay above a Band 4 for an Ambulance Technician regardless […]

KSF – Promoting Learning and Building the Union

With the implementation of the NHS Knowledge & Skills Framework, Conference expects a rapid expansion of learning activities among NHS staff, keen to take advantage of the learning and development opportunities offered by the KSF. Conference notes UNISON’s continuing success in its work to create a culture of lifelong learning in health branches, carried out […]

Litigious Society

Conference notes that unprincipled legal firms are trying to sell their services to a wider market by encouraging members of the public to sue NHS organisations if they are not content with the levels of care received. The NHS has mechanisms for identifying and rectifying errors in treatment and practice. Health professionals are regulated and […]

Addressing the Shortfall in Specialist Education and Training

Conference notes with concern that the Professional and Technical workforce in the NHS faces a potential shortfall of staff over the next five years. This is especially the case in Cardiology, Biomedical Science, Operating Department Practice, Healthcare Engineers, Pharmacy and the Medical Technical area and is evidenced by ongoing and increasing recruitment problems. Conference recognises […]

Recruitment

Conference welcomes the recent UNISON research looking at local workplace organisation and membership growth since the launch of the organising agenda in 1997, and how we can improve on them. Conference notes the research findings that a critical mass of stewards who have held office for four or more years have not been exposed to […]

NHS Professionals

Conference understands that NHSP was set up in such a manner that its staff have similar conditions to NHS staff. However, it appears that NHSP staff are not paid sick pay. In the mental health sector, the lack of sick pay is causing problems in that NHSP staff are reluctant to assist in situations where […]