RepsDirect No 119 4 September 2001



From
Head of Health, Roger Spiller General Secretary, Roger Lyons

1. Agenda for Change

Most of our concerns are over harmonisation of terms and conditions, especially out of hours working.

Many of you have negotiated your own local agreements, however there are proposals to standardise out of hours working. There may be a possibility for local variation, but this could impact on other things and we have a policy of returning to national bargaining.

We need to know what the potential damage to any system is likely to be.

For this reason can you fill the form attached in and return it to Colin Adkins ASAP at Moreland Street. Fax: 020 7505 3030 Email: adkinsc@msf.org.uk

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2. Education

NHS STAGE 2 - ENGLAND & WALES 03-07 December 2001
MSF is the fastest growing trade union in the NHS. It is our representatives who make us an effective trade union able to represent individual members, challenge management collectively, and promote the best interests of everyone who uses the NHS.

The course is designed for experienced NHS representatives or those who have attended a previous course. We will discuss the key issues facing the NHS and practice the skills required to defend the interests of MSF members and the NHS as a whole. In particular we will cover:

The course will be taught by a MSF Education Officer supported by specialist MSF officers and will involve group discussion, activities and case studies. The course is accredited by the University of Leeds. Accreditation is optional but it is strongly recommended. Students opting for accreditation have the opportunity to achieve ten credits towards a recognised qualification.

The course will be held at Whitehall College, MSF's residential training centre in Bishop's Stortford. The course runs from Monday lunch time to midday on Friday. MSF meets all the costs of the course, including travel. However, your employer is expected to pay your wages when you are on the course.

Representatives who have any problems in getting time off with pay to attend the course should contact their Regional Officer.

Website: www.poptel.org.uk/whitehall-college

Pat Simpson
Administrative Assistant
Whitehall College
Dane O'Coys Road
Bishop's Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2JN
Tel: 01279 755677
Fax: 01279 757847

Application Form for Whitehall College Courses

Course Title: NHS2 REPS. Date: 3-7 DECEMBER 2001

Name: ...................................... Signature: ..........................

Full address: .......................................................................

............................................... Postcode .............

Home tel: ................... Fax: ........................ E-Mail.............................


Employer: ............................................... Date of Joining MSF.......................

Work Tel: .................... Fax: ....................... E-Mail: .........................

Membership No: .......... Region: .................. Branch: ........................

Dietary/special requirements: ......................................................

Creche Facilities required ..........................................................

(please give brief details of child[ren], names, ages, sex)

Name of Regional Officer ......................... Signature...........................

My employer has agreed to paid release YES (please tick)


N.B. Representatives have a legal entitlement to paid release to attend union courses. If you experience any difficulties, please contact your Regional Officer.

How did you find out about the course? (Please tick appropriate box)

Regional Officer       Whitehall College Course Programme      
Another Representative       Flyer      
MSF Publication       Other (please specify)      

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3. Discretionary Points

Thank you for those who returned the Survey. Many of you had difficulty doing this because we gave you the wrong fax number for replies - sorry! The correct fax number is 0207 505 3282. If you want another copy of the survey form please contact Colin Adkins, Health Section Research and Policy Officer on 0207 505 3167 or adkinsc@msf.org.uk

If you require information on how at least 70 Trusts have implemented the revised agreement on Discretionary Points for Nurses and PAMs please contact Colin Adkins. Details above.

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4. Inquiry into the Role of the Private Sector in the NHS

The House of Commons Health Select Committee has announced its first major inquiry of the new Parliament: "The Role of the Private Sector in the NHS".

This inquiry will specifically focus on:

Further information can be found on www.parliament.uk/commons/selcom/hltpnt01.htm.

Organisations and individuals wishing to submit evidence are invited to do so no later than Friday 28 September 2001. MSF will be responding.

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5. Making IT Happen

The CPHVA is running a typically high profile campaigning exposing the gap between government statements on the use of IT in the NHS and what is actually happening in Trusts. The intention is to get more CPHVA and CPNA members connected so as to improve service delivery. This is an issue for other health staff working in the community and there is no reason why other MSF groups should not join in the campaign. For further information contact Shaun Noble on 0207 939 7043 or nobles@msf.org.uk.

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6. Useful Information

Many Trust managers or HR Directors complain that MSF is more often on the ball with information than themselves. Now take that advantage further by finding out what they are told! There is a bulletin for Chief Executives and HR Directors which is accessible from the web (another reason why you should support the above campaign!). This has much useful information like new NHS initiatives and Advanced Letters on Pay when they are published. You can access this from www.doh.gov.uk/hrbulletin/index.htm. The bulletins are normally issued on Thursdays.

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7. Regulation

The Health Professions Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council are still being set up and already the overarching body to oversee, co-ordinate and even overturn the self-regulatory bodies is out for consultation

The Government is proposing that the regulatory bodies should be accountable to a new Council for the Regulation of Healthcare Professionals and through this body to Parliament. This is a change to the present accountability where some regulatory bodies are accountable via the Privy Council and others via the Secretary of State.

The Report on the Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry (the Kennedy Report) is given as reason for the need to get something done now and thus the short period of consultation.

The consultation document is at: www.doh.gov.uk/modernisingregulation.

An MSF response will be submitted. Comments from members and OACs are requested by Friday 14th September at the latest.

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8. Mental Health Officer status - update

We now have a clear legal position on MHO status and the Pensions Agency is working on administering the results, first dealing with the tribunal cases and then moving on to other cases. This is made slightly complex because some colleagues have worked periods less than half time hours and so their claim would be first for access to the scheme and then second for MHO status.

Trusts have already been invited to identify people with claims for MHO status for part time work but with the focus on those currently working part time hours. Those identified who are not doctors or nurses (who are qualified automatically) should be sent a form inviting them to detail their duties.

We have reservations about this process and have made representations but we will wait until reasonable claims are rejected before pursuing this matter further.

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9. Workforce Taskforce

Roger Spiller has been appointed to the above body. He is one of three members drawn from staff side organisations.

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10. MSF Women's Weekend

A MSF Women's Weekend will take place from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 October 2001. The title for the weekend is 'Developing Pathways for Women in MSF'. For further information contact Jennie Scott-Reid Education Officer on 01279 755677.

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11. Agreements Trawl

MSF is seeking to build up its files on agreements in response to Reps request for information. The first agreement that we are seeking is those on Facilities and/or Time Off for Trade Union Duties. Please send copies of your agreements to Colin Adkins, Health Section Research and Policy Officer 33-37 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8HA fax number: 0207 505 3282.

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12. BARRIE BROWN IS THE CPHVA'S NEW HEAD OF LABOUR RELATIONS

Barrie Brown has been appointed as Head of Labour Relations for the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association.

He replaces Roger Kline who left earlier this year to work for the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA).

Barrie Brown joined MSF, of which CPHVA is a professionally autonomous section, as a regional officer for London with responsibility for primary care in 1997. He previously worked for the British Medical Association as a full-time officer. He lives in East Finchley, north London.

Barrie Brown said: "With the advent of primary care trusts, there are going to be a number of human resources issues confronting CPHVA members in the coming months and years. I am looking forward to tackling this particular challenge, so that CPHVA members can then play their full part in implementing the health improvement plans in their area.

The CPHVA director, Jackie Carnell said: 'I am really pleased that Barrie is taking on this role as he has a wealth of experience in the labour relations' field which can only greatly benefit our members.

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13. ON CALL PAYMENTS SURVEY




Name of Trust:      
Name of Rep:      
Departments which provide an ‘on call' service Whitley System Fixed Rate Shift Pattern
                       
                       
                       
                       
                       
Average annual 'top up' to basic salary?
Department Amount
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Please return to Colin Adkins at 33-37 Moreland Street, London, EC1 8HA
Fax 0207 505 3282
e-mail:

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14. MSF Accredited Reps Form

New Rep     Change of Details     I am no longer a rep


About You
Membership No:      
Title:      
First Name      
Last Name:      
Sex Male     Female
Mailing Address:       Home Tel:      
            Work Tel:      
            Mobile:      
            Fax No:      
            e-mail:      
Is this: Home      Work            


Your Employment
Your current position      
Department      
Employer (full name)      
Employer's full address      
           
           


MSF
Rep type:      Local Rep/Workplace Rep/CPHVA LAR

     Core/Senior/Lead Rep

     Health and Safety
Membership of MSF Committees:      
MSF Branch and Branch Number:      
MSF Regional Officer:      
MSF Region and region Number:      


Please complete this form and return it to
MSF/NHS National Office, MSF Centre, 33 - 37 Moreland Street, London EC1V 8HA
or Fax: (020) 7505 3200 or E-mail: repsdirect@msf.org.uk

 

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