Monday 8 November 2010
Sunday 18 July 2010
UNISON NURSING - HEALTH CARE ASSISTANTS CONFERENCE 2010
UNISON has announced it will be holding its next healthcare assistants conference on 21 September at the TUC in London.
The conference is for and about HCAs working in all settings and will cover a range of themes including:
- What are HCAs doing in the service today?
- What is the future of the role?
- What lessons can we learn from the devolved countries?
- What competencies should all HCAs have irrespective of where they work?
- What is the difference between skill levels and pay bands?
- What should HCAs do if are asked to undertake something they do not feel they can do safely and effectively?
- How might HCAs be regulated in the future?
- Why are HCAs fundamental to patient care?
How to register
Registration is open to anyone, if you are a UNISON member you should speak to your local branch about attending this conference as they may be able to assist in your travel and accommodation if needed.
Download a registration form (PDF) and return it with payment to Gail Adams, head of nursing, at the address detailed.
ON CALL REVIEW
Latest documents from the National 'on-call' payments review.
http://www.nhsemployers.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/OnCall_Draft_Principles_ap150710.pdf
http://www.nhsemployers.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/On-Call_Key_Findings_ap150710.pdf
The Grapevine
The latest issue of our newsletter 'The Grapevine' is out now. Available from your local rep or the union office.
Sunday 20 June 2010
ISA UNDER REVIEW
Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced on 15 June that the rollout of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) Vetting and Barring Scheme (due to start 26 July 2010) has been halted to allow the Government to “redraw the Scheme to common sense levels”.
UNISON has sent a letter (on behalf of a joint TUC coalition) to the Home Office seeking a meeting to discuss the government’s ideas, the timescale for the review and to raise our concerns including the impact of the cost of ISA registration on individuals, the duplication with existing regulation by professional registration bodies, and the need to ensure that individuals have the right to a fair hearing. At the moment we do not know how far the review may go toward addressing these concerns.
The announcement of the review does not alter the current process. Existing requirements for criminal record checks remain in place and employers are still legally obliged to refer information to the ISA if an individual has harmed or demonstrated a risk of harm to a child or vulnerable adult. The ISA continues to investigate relevant information which is referred to it. The ISA will write to individuals who are under investigation and inform them whether it is ‘minded to bar’. If branches become aware of any members who receive a letter from the ISA, please inform your regional office and UNISON’s Professional Registration - Representation Unit.
Further details of the process for remodelling the Scheme will be announced shortly and we will provide Branches with this information as soon as it is available.
UNISON has sent a letter (on behalf of a joint TUC coalition) to the Home Office seeking a meeting to discuss the government’s ideas, the timescale for the review and to raise our concerns including the impact of the cost of ISA registration on individuals, the duplication with existing regulation by professional registration bodies, and the need to ensure that individuals have the right to a fair hearing. At the moment we do not know how far the review may go toward addressing these concerns.
The announcement of the review does not alter the current process. Existing requirements for criminal record checks remain in place and employers are still legally obliged to refer information to the ISA if an individual has harmed or demonstrated a risk of harm to a child or vulnerable adult. The ISA continues to investigate relevant information which is referred to it. The ISA will write to individuals who are under investigation and inform them whether it is ‘minded to bar’. If branches become aware of any members who receive a letter from the ISA, please inform your regional office and UNISON’s Professional Registration - Representation Unit.
Further details of the process for remodelling the Scheme will be announced shortly and we will provide Branches with this information as soon as it is available.
Thursday 13 May 2010
INDEPENDENT SAFEGUARDING AUTHORITY
Copies of the presentations given at the popular Vetting and Barring Focus Group at UNISON Health Conference 2010 are now available.
Download them here:
Presentation from John Brown, Policy Officer, Independent Safeguarding Authority
Presentation from Gail Adams, Head of Nursing, UNISON
Newsletter for Health Conference delegates on Vetting and Barring issues
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLERICAL STAFF LEAFLET
A new leaflet for Administrative and Clerical Sector staff is available at www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/19067.pdf
Wednesday 14 April 2010
UNISON Nursing Updates
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Factsheet for nurses on the legal responsibilities of employers regarding professional malpractice, and the extent of UNISON’s Professional Indemnity cover. For more information, click here
Online Social Networking Sites and Work
More and more people are registering with and using social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Friendsters to stay in touch with friends & families, join interest groups and/or share information. However, nurses, healthcare assistants, students and midwives should be careful as these online conversations are stored permanently and searchable by the public and can be used by employers against staff if they feel that you have acted inappropriately or breached patient confidentiality.
We have provided a Factsheet on this, for briefing on Online social networking sites & work: click here 11023.pdf
We have provided a Factsheet on this, for briefing on Online social networking sites & work: click here 11023.pdf
Nursing Matters Newsletter
This edition if full of current and topical issues. To read click here http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/19136.pdf
Raising and Escalating Concerns
The NMC says that the guidance will support nurses and midwives who wish to raise or escalate concerns about the safety or wellbeing of people in their care.
UNISON has responded to the NMC's consultation. To see our Response to NMC's consultation: click here 11011.pdf.
Mary Seacole Development and Leadership Awards 2010
Applications are now available for the Mary Seacole Awards.
We would encourage all UNISON nurses, midwives and health visitors to consider applying for these awards. Click here for details for Mary Seacole Awards.
For further information contact either Gail Adams (Head of Nursing) or Jennie West (Supporting Officer) on 020 7551 1317 or 020 7551 1357 respectively.
Ancillary Newsletter
THE attached file contains the Winter 2010 edition of the Ancillary Matters Newsletter for all members working in the ancillary and maintenance sector. PDF: Winter 10
At a Cross Roads
In December 2009 UNISON held its second Medical Secretary's Conference.
The latest issue of UNISON's Admin Matters is devoted to a report on the events of this conference. To read this and the the presentations that accompained the conference click on the links below.
Admin Matters Spring 2010
Career Development
The latest issue of UNISON's Admin Matters is devoted to a report on the events of this conference. To read this and the the presentations that accompained the conference click on the links below.
Admin Matters Spring 2010Career DevelopmentWednesday 3 March 2010
Managers in Partnership
MiP is the UK's only trade union organisation specifically for healthcare managers. We give you an influential voice, personal support and employment advice, management skills and access to leadership networks.
Healthcare Manager Magazine http://www.miphealth.org.uk/hcm/
Occupational Therapy Staff
Membership brochure and application form for the British Association of Occupational Therapists http://www.cot.org.uk/Mainwebsite/Resources/Document/MemberRecruitmentLeaflet.pdf
British Association of Occupational Therapists/UNISON OT Stewards induction pack
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Health Care Assistants Project 2010
As the leading union for Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) – UNISON is delighted to highlight a new national project for and about HCAs.
This project is about highlighting the vital role that HCAs play in delivering care, it has a number of strands to the work and we would welcome your contribution.
1. Identifying and benchmarking core national competencies for the Health Care Assistant (HCA) role, irrespective of where they work across health and social care.
2. Link the competencies to the pay bands of agenda for change to ensure clarify about what staff should do within their sphere of responsibility
3. Develop guidance on how to seek a grading review if you are being asked to work outside your normal duties or to take on additional responsibilities
4. Revise UNISON’s national code of conduct for HCAs
5. Undertake a literature review of the evidence on the role and benefit of HCAs
6. Map what could be a regulatory framework based on the work that HCAs do and where they do it but that takes account of existing legislation background.
At the moment the HCAs’ role and employers’ expectations on the role and responsibilities varies widely across the United Kingdom. It’s been described as a postcode lottery as to what you do and your pay band. This poses a number of problems as it means that job descriptions, standards, responsibilities and knowledge are inconsistent. As a result if you move employer very often staff find themselves having to start their career over again.
We will also be looking at developing a model job description for HCAs on bands 2 and 3. The benefits that this would bring include recognition of the role and responsibilities that comes with HCAs’ work. The national modelling of HCAs’ role will help to identify training and training needs for HCAs.
In the UNISON Healthcare Assistant Survey (2008), it revealed that there was widespread dissatisfaction felt by HCAs at the level of training offered to them. Two-thirds of those who participated in the survey believed that the training was insufficient to enable them to reach their potential.
As part of this project, we hope to address some of these issues but also to repeat our survey to see if views and opinions have altered. UNISON will also be developing some guidance for employers which identifies what steps they should take if they want to develop HCAs further or to look at their responsibilities. We want HCAs to be recognised for taking on additional duties, and therefore will also be developing guidance on how to seek a grading review if your role or responsibilities have changed. Another issue that needs to be addressed, and which received strong backing from those who participated in the survey, is the regulation of the HCA profession.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council have independently commissioned research on the risks and benefits of regulation of HCAs who work to nurses and midwives by undertaking delegated duties. The union continues to be proactive with this work and in early March UNISON will be meeting with the project group of HCAs. We will be using their experience and job roles to identify core competencies, best practice and training needs.
We plan to further consult with HCAs at the UNISON Health Care Conference in July. This piece of work is being undertaken by HCAs. Their role has changed significantly over the last 10 years but more often than not it’s been as a result of their determination and dedication. We want HCAs to be in control of their role.
If you are interested in being part of a wider virtual group reviewing and helping to develop our policy please email Gail Adams Head of Nursing or Jennifer West gail.adams@unison.co.uk or j.west@unison.co.uk
Wednesday 24 February 2010
BAPO and UNISON join forces
The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO), has signed an agreement with UNISON, the UK’s largest healthcae union, linking the two organisations together.
The 700+ members of BAPO will be able to take advantage of the broad range of member benefits, the experienced officers and increased influence that comes with being linked to a large union.
Welcoming BAPO into the union, General Secretary, Dave Prentis, praised the work of its members saying: “I am proud that UNISON will be able to represent such a unique and valued group of professionals in the health service. Prosthetists and Orthotists play a vital role, helping many severely disabled and injured people, giving them hope and enabling them to get on with their work and lives. “The advanced work that BAPO members do in helping the public and our injured service men and women is truly amazing. No one can fail to be impressed when you see the technology and expertise that allows limbless athletes to compete in the paralympics and other sporting events or enables independent living for many who would otherwise be dependent members of our society. “This innovative partnership demonstrates clearly that the trade union movement resonates strongly with health workers. We will be stronger together and I look forward to working with BAPO and its members for many years to come.”
Steve Mottram, Chair of the BAPO said: “We are delighted to enter into this agreement with UNISON as we believe that our combined efforts will ensure that it will strengthen our ability to offer the treatments and services that our members can offer.“As one of the smallest of the Allied Health Profession groups we have found it challenging to engage with the many broad sweep initiatives that the NHS undertakes and we are certain that this partnership will be of immense benefit to our members and their patients by improving our ability to engage more effectively. “In addition to the normal benefits of membership of the Professional Association, our members are now also able to access all benefits of on offer from the UK's largest public sector union. We believe that this will be the start of an exciting period of development as the profession faces the challenges of the future.”
BAPO membership forms http://www.bapo.org/site/content/view/36/65/
NMC Consultation on Standards for Pre-registration Nursing Education
The Nursing and Midwifery Council has launched a consultation on their proposal to introduce new standards for pre-registration nursing education.
The consultation is in the form of a questionnaire in which respondents are being asked to provide their views on the framework of the proposed standards and competencies. As part of our consultation we are keen to hear your views, UNISON will be submitting a formal response to the NMC.
The consultation is in the form of a questionnaire in which respondents are being asked to provide their views on the framework of the proposed standards and competencies. As part of our consultation we are keen to hear your views, UNISON will be submitting a formal response to the NMC.
PAY 2010
As a result of tough national negotiations between the government and NHS unions our pay rates will rise by 2.25% on 1st April 2010. This is one of the biggest increases in the public sector. There will be additional monies for Band 1, 2 and 3 staff and for some pay points on Bands 5 & 6 making the total value of the uplift 2.5%. Band 1 staff will gain 3% from a £420 flat rate increase for Bands 1, 2 and 3.
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