1. GETTING THE MESSAGE THROUGH TO YOU The MSF Health Section is seeking to improve communications with Representatives. Therefore we are seeking to move as many of you as possible from receiving Reps Direct by fax to e-mail instead. This is more immediate, cheaper, gives a better quality copy and allows you to cut and paste items into any local newsletters that you are producing. Please complete that attached pro-forma and help improve our service to you.
The MSF Health Section is seeking to improve communications with Representatives. Therefore we are seeking to move as many of you as possible from receiving Reps Direct by fax to e-mail instead. This is more immediate, cheaper, gives a better quality copy and allows you to cut and paste items into any local newsletters that you are producing. Please complete that attached pro-forma and help improve our service to you.
2. PRB EVIDENCE
MSF/CPHVA has once again submitted evidence to the Pay Review Body for its members covered by the Nursing and Midwifery National Council (NMNC). We proposed: a substantial increase for all Community Practitioners which we define as being above the cost of living and that will rest comfortably in the upper quartile of the range of salary increases for second quarter of 2002 in order to continue the momentum of the Pay Review Body in restoring nurses real spending power; measures to improve career progression and retention of skills for senior nurses including a review by the Office of Manpower Economics into the introduction of the position of Consultant Nurse; the consolidation of the remaining two Discretionary Points into the salary scale, with automatic progress through to the top point of the newly extended scale; follow up the helpful statement of the last two years regarding the clinical grading criteria with explicit recommendations on appropriate grading levels and in particular a C grade for Community Nursery Nurses. Copies of this evidence only are available from Colin Adkins, Health Section Research and Policy Officer on 0202 505 3167 or adkinsc@msf.org.uk. MSF/CPHVA also contributed to the joint evidence from the staff sides of the NMNC and the Professions Allied to Medicine. MSF is preparing salary claims across the Whitley Councils in which we are involved.
3. LOCAL MODERNISATION REVIEWS
Alan Milburn has written to Roger Lyons, MSF General Secretary to outline a programme of Local Modernisation Reviews. These will: show how the NHS Plan is being delivered in every health community in ways that fully engage frontline staff, patients and other stakeholders; identify the areas where most action is needed to achieve NHS Plan targets, including in access to services, reducing waiting, the quality of the patients experience or improving working lives; confirm timescales for delivery of key NHS Plan targets over the next three years which fit with the local strategic plans of the NHS, local government and other agencies. The purpose of the letter was to encourage the involvement and input of MSF members in making a 'real difference' to the outcome of this work. He also stresses that he has written to managers in a similar vein and has asked them "to ensure that as many people as possible are given the opportunity to be involved." There is a group of regional contacts for further information. Please contact Preeti Farooki on 0207 505 3063 or farookip@msf.org.uk.
4. SHIFTING THE BALANCE OF POWER WITHIN THE NHS
The Department of Health is finally developing management tools aimed to 'secure delivery' of improvements in the NHS as detailed in the NHS Plan. We draw your attention to one such tool on the Human Resources Framework. This is focused on structural change (PCTs and reduction in the number of HAs). This is available on: www.doh.gov.uk/shiftingthebalance/hrguidance/hrguidancehtm.htm. The CPHVA is planning to issue advice and guidance in the near future.
5. THE LATEST IMPROVING WORKING LIVES TOOLKIT
The latest IWL toolkit Improving Working Lives for the Pharmacy Team is now available. This toolkit is the first to focus on a specific profession and comprises a series of examples of good practice, grouped around key themes. It will be of interest to all pharmacy staff, and may stimulate ideas and discussion amongst staff about how they work, and how conditions and systems could be improved - it will help to generate fresh perceptions about possible ways of working together. Copies are available from the NHS Response Line 08701 555 455 quoting reference 24617. For further information e-mail: brian.wall@doh.gsi.gov.uk.
6. GRADING HANDBOOKS
A grading handbook for School Nurses will shortly be available from the NHS Section Office. This outlines the case for a minimum F grade and in many cases a G grade for School Nurses. A grading handbook for Community Nursery Nurses will be available in October. This outlines the case for a C grade for Community Nursery Nurses. For further information contact Colin Adkins 0207 505 3167 or adkinsc@msf.org.uk.
7. CONGESTION CHARGING
Transport for London is conducting a consultation exercise on the London Mayor's proposals for congesting charging in central London. This will particularly effect NHS staff working in the community. Copies of the consultation document are available on www.streetmanagement.org.uk or on freephone 0800 0853939. Comments should be sent by 28th September 2001 to transport for London (Congestion Charging Scheme Order Consultation, Freepost LON17507, London, SW1H 0YZ or e-mail your comments to ccs@tfl.gov.uk. We fear that any health based dispensation will not take into account the fact that not all health staff working in the community have vehicles with flashing blue lights on top. MSF will be making a submission, has raised out concerns with the London region of the NHS Executive and is having a meeting with the consultants undertaking the consultation with Transport for London. We ask reps that they ensure that any representations from your own Trust takes account of the full range of health staff working in the community.
8. AGREEMENTS TRAWL
We repeat a request from the last issue. 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. To date we have only received two agreements. Congratulations to the Welsh colleagues, Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust and North West Wales NHS Trust, for supplying these. More please! Our advice to Reps is as good as the information that we receive.