RepsDirect No 116 13th July 2001

From

Head of Health, Roger Spiller

General Secretary, Roger Lyons

PPP and the NHS
Discretionary Points
Pensions Modernisation
Team Bonuses
Speech and Language Therapist Assistants
HR Strategy for Healthcare Scientists
Health Professions Council
Discretionary Points Survey
The Future of the NHS

You have no doubt read media articles regarding proposals from the Government to involve the private sector in bringing about a transformation of the NHS. As reported in the last Reps Direct, the MSF General Secretary, Roger Lyons has met the Prime Minister and Head of the Health Section, Roger Spiller has met Alan Milburn, Secretary of State for Health to clarify the Government's intentions and voice MSF's concerns.

In reality there are no definite plans for PPP's in clinical services, however, the Government is fully committed to bringing reform of the service and fulfil commitments that it made at the last election. Resources devoted to health have been significantly boosted in order to achieve reform. But at the same time it is clear that they will not accept obstacles to reforms designed to bring about an improvement in clinical services and patient care. MSF has responded to this challenge by stating that we believe that reform can be brought about internally and without the involvement of the private sector. We have been asked by Secretary of State to give further details of our proposals. We have a common interest in pursuing patient care.

At the same time we can report on some positive developments in this area:

MSF has successfully resisted the involvement of a major diagnostic company in the reconfiguration of Pathology services in the NW. We are now working with consultants to the Trusts concerned on a partnership basis in drawing up a plan to put before the Department of Health for approval.
Staff working in Pathology services at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage will return to direct employment of the NHS from private company Omnilabs.
The Head of Health and RO Patrick Canavan are to discuss with the Department of Health the implications of a proposal (The Retention of Employment model) that in future agreed PPP's staff will be directly employed people by the NHS even though managed by the private sector.

We will keep members abreast of developments. The next issue of NHS News will be a PPP Special.

We attach a copy of a statement on the Future of the NHS agreed unanimously at the most recent meeting of the MSF Health Section National Advisory Committee. A very positive speech from Alan Milburn espousing the public sector ethos can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/speeches/julyspeech.htm.

2. Discretionary Points

Supplementary guidance on revisions to the agreement on Discretionary Points has been issued as a Bargaining and Organising Factsheet with the current edition of NHS News. This is also available electronically from Colin Adkins, the MSF Health Section Research and Policy Officer at adkinsc@msf.org.uk.

We are now seeking information on the implementation on this revised agreement in trusts across the UK. Please complete the short survey attached.

If you are aware of any Region wide agreements on implementation which promotes best practice detailed in the Supplementary Guidance please let the Health Section Research and Policy Officer know as soon as possible.

3. Pensions Modernisation

A survey seeking members views on priorities for modernising the NHS Pension Scheme has been distributed with NHS News. For a copy please contact the Health Section Research and Policy Officer. Contact details above.

4. Team Bonuses

One local representative has flagged up that his trust is seeking to be a site for the piloting of Team Bonuses. MSF is sceptical of the wisdom of such payment systems and questions how they fit with moves to establish an equal value pay system in the NHS. If you are aware of any developments in your Trust would you please inform the Health Section Research and Policy Officer.

5. Speech and Language Therapist Assistants

MSF has issued guidance on regrading Speech and Language Therapy Assistants. This is available from the Lead Officer for S< Assistants Colenzo Jarret-Thorpe at thorpecj@msf.org.uk or on 0208 947 4441.

6. HR Strategy for Healthcare Scientists

Making the Change: a strategy for the professions in healthcare science raises the profile of the professions working in Healthcare Science and describes some of their activities. It indicates how this important group of staff will be supported and developed in the future, so that patients benefit, and innovation is introduced into all aspects of health care. It also introduces and agenda for change. It has been warmly welcomed by MSF.
Download your copy from: www.doh.gov.uk/makingthechange/making.pdf

7. Health Professions Council

A copy of the MSF submission in response to the draft order for the creation of the Health Professions Council (the new regulatory body for non-medical and nursing professions) is available from the Health Section Research and Policy Officer.

8. Discretionary Points Survey

Could you please supply the following information for each Trust that you represent.

1.
Name of Trust?

2.
Does your Trust have an agreement on Discretionary Points?

Yes ( No (

3.
Were colleagues on the maximum of nursing grades F, G, H and I and PAMs grades Senior II, Senior I & Chief/Head/Superintendent IV and Chief/Head/ Superintendent III with one-year service moved onto the new grade maximum from 1st April 2001?

Yes ( No (

4.
If no on what date will they move to the new grade maximum?

5.
Have those colleagues that successfully applied for one Discretionary Point had this added to the new grade maximum?

Yes ( No (

6.
If no has their Discretionary Point been consolidated into the salary scale?

Thank you for your help!

Please return to: Colin Adkins
MSF Health Section Research and Policy Officer
33-37 Moreland Street
London
EC1V 8HA
Email:adkinsc@msf.org.uk
Fax: 020 7403 2979

9. The Future of the NHS

For the first time ever all major parties at the last election spoke in support of the principle of a National Health Service. The Government made promises in its manifesto to provide a quality Health Service focused on the patients need and this had to be done with the active involvement and co-operation of the staff. It has also been suggested that the involvement of the Private sector can generate investment and manage change in ways not available in the NHS.

MSF has a proud record of support for the NHS both as a provider of healthcare free at the point of use, and of a public service providing employment opportunities, which reflect the high professional standards adopted by our members.

After extensive discussions at the highest level with government, we believe that the aspirations of both government and MSF can be met.

Elements of government still believe that the private sector can increase NHS spending. The recent IPPR report proves conclusively that this is not the case. Some in Government understand this. The second area to be improved by private involvement, is in introducing innovative techniques and the management of change.

This is more difficult area to refute because we all acknowledge that the management of the NHS at National, Authority and Trust level often leaves a great deal to be desired. On the other hand we have many examples of the inadequacies of private management. The truth is that change cannot occur without the participation, professional guidance, initiative and drive of the workforce. Without wishing to comment on the ability of other unions and their members to adopt change, MSF believe their members are in a unique and authoritative position to improve standards in Health Care for the UK population.

With a supportive management, MSF members in a number of areas have already demonstrated better use of resources to deliver a better service to the patient. Preservation of public service and members employment prospects in North Manchester are an example of working in partnership for change. We are able to do this because we are not just producers of healthcare but consumers as well. We understand the need for change and are determined to produce it. The breach of glass ceilings and involvement of all staff in the development of new and improved services is crucial. The status quo is not an option. If the manifesto commitments are not in place by the end of this parliamentary term we shall all be faced with a government who really believe in the privatisation of health care.

MSF can demonstrate that well lead and organised staff can push aside the barriers of old style management and the false promise of the private sector to introduce radical change into the NHS, without compromising our deeply held principles of free and comprehensive health care.

The professionalism of MSF members ensures they will take a responsible role on proposing the introduction of innovative change to improve the service for the patient. MSF can lead the way in our areas of work if the government provides the incentive of maintaining the high standards of the NHS and obliging management to act in partnership, following the example of Scotland.

We set down only 4 principles, which we are not prepared to see breached:

The concept of profit shall never come between provider and patient.
Training, staffing levels and grades are determined by patient need not cost.
Service improvement to the patient will take precedent over cost reduction.
Effective change can only be achieved through partnership.

Unanimously agreed by the MSF Health Section NAC Meeting on the 10th July 2001.