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Scotland has had a devolved government since May 1999.
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| 2. |
Almost 100% of Health and Community Care Policy is a devolved responsibility of the Scottish Parliament.
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| 3. |
Scotland has its own distinct health plan entitled "Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change"
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| 4. |
The terms and conditions of all NHS Staff in Scotland are also a devolved matter that need not mirror existing Whitley Arrangements. However this may require legislation by the Scottish Parliament and/or executive action by the Scottish Executive.
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| 5. |
Agenda for Change the UK Government proposals for modernising pay and conditions of service has membership from the Scottish Executive Health Department on the Central Negotiating Group. This membership reports back to a joint group titled the Scottish Pay Reference and Implementation Group (SPRIG) comprising Scottish representatives of the main NHS Trade Unions and management.
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| 6. |
The emphasis of SPRIG is on the implementation as well as the detail, which may differ from the rest of the UK. "In pursuing proposals to modernise the (NHS pay) system we recognise the need to balance the benefits of UK pay mechanisms such as the independent Pay Review Bodies, with the need for flexibility to implement new terms and conditions of service in ways that best meet the particular needs of the NHS in Scotland…" Susan Deacon MSP, minister for Health and Community Care, September 1999.
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| 7. |
NHS Scotland has developed partnership at both national as well as local level between NHS Management and the Trade Unions. At local level this allows staff to attend and participate in Trust Board meetings.
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| 8. |
Partnership has been reinforced throughout the Scottish NHS Plan to such an extent that from October 2001 the staff side chair of the new Area Partnership Forums will become a full non-executive member of the new unified Health Boards. They will have the same rights and responsibilities as the other non-executive Board members and be paid in addition to their normal NHS salary.
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| 9. |
NHS Scotland has developed a policy within the Scottish Partnership Forum of no compulsory redundancies as well as lifetime no detriment protection for staff affected by all forms of organisational change.
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| 10. |
The Scottish Partnership Forum has overseen the issuing and will closely monitor the implementation of the first so called Partnership Information Network (PIN) Guidelines designed to improve best practice in employment practices as well as ensuring that people issues are given the same consideration as budgets and quality. The first six guidelines are:
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Family Friendly Working
Equal Opportunities
Management of Employee Conduct
Personal Development Planning and Review
Dignity at Work
Facilities Arrangements
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