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.”

http://www.bapo.org/site/

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.

http://www.unison.org.uk/healthcare/nursing/pages_view.asp?did=10787

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.