March Newsletter On Line Version

Healthcare March 2009

Build Your Union

Everyone benefits when everyone is in the union. Encourage your colleagues to join so we can all stand together for a better working life.

UNISON @ Northumbria Healthcare Trust

Northumbria Healthcare UNISON has over 2500 members in the Trust, including
Admin & Clerical
Allied Health Professionals
Ancillary
Craft & Maintenance
Healthcare Science
Managers
Nursing

Professional Partners

Association of Pharmacy Technicians
British Association of Occupation Therapists
British Society of Medical Secretaries
College of Operating Department Practitioners
Managers in Partnership

SOME GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE

After discussion with union representatives the Trust has agreed not to implement a 2.75% increase in car parking charges.

The increase that was due to come in to force on the first of April this year will not be applied to staff and visitor car parking fees.

While most members interviewed welcomed this move some said the Trust should go further and abolish car parking charges altogether.

UNISON Book Club20% discount on OUP publicationsUNISON has teamed up with Oxford University Press to provide UNISON healthcare members with an exclusive offer to purchase OUP publications at a 20% discount through the UNISON Book Club. To explore the books available through the OUP catalogue and place an order, go to http://www.oup.co.uk/sale/unison/

INDEPENDENT SAFEGUARDING AUTHORITY


The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will come into being in October 2009. The ISA will run a vetting and barring scheme replacing the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) scheme and the Protection of Children Act (POCA) for all those working with children and vulnerable adults. Eventually all staff working with children and vulnerable adults will have to register with the ISA.
UNISON Professional Services Unit has produced a briefing for members.
UNISON will also be holding a seminar on the ISA scheme later this year.

UNION VICTORY FOR DENTAL NURSES


All dental nurses have to pay an annual registration fee of £96 to the General Dental Council, and NHS Direct have now agreed to pay £38 to all its Band 4 dental nurses to help them meet the fees.
More senior nurses on Band 5 and above already receive the payment, and UNISON national officer Michael Walker said the deal was a major breakthrough in the union's campaign to win all dental nurses the annual £38 payment.
'The recognition by NHS Direct of the UNISON dental nurse claim is most welcome, and UNISON hopes that other NHS trusts will now follow suit and recognise the key role of NHS dental nurses.'

LIVING WELL WITH DEMENTIA

The government has published its strategy on dementia care titled "Living well with dementia". Its recommendations included improving public and professional awareness, a joint commissioning strategy and improved assessment & regulation.
Copies of the document and UNISON’s response are available at http://www.unison.org.uk/healthcare/nursing/pages_view.asp?did=8287

THE UNION FOR ALL NORTHUMBRIA HEALTHCARE STAFF

Printed & Published by Northumbria Healthcare UNISON, UNISON Office, Wansbeck General Hospital.
UNISON direct 0845 355 0845 www.unison.org.uk www.healthunion.blogspot.com