1 HPC ConsultationThank you for your overwhelming response to the postcard campaign on the proposal of the HPC to drastically increase fees for registration. Some of you have been very creative and generated your own postcards at a local level. Well done. Amicus has made its own submission to the consultation this is available on our website at: www.msfhealth.org We are meeting the HPC on the 17th October to press our case for a partnership to approach the Government for greater support for its activities and not charging this additional cost to registrants. In addition to the issue of fees we will also be raising our concerns over the slow pace new groups will be accepted into state registration. We will of course report on any non-confidential items in a future issue of Reps Direct. back to top
Thank you for your overwhelming response to the postcard campaign on the proposal of the HPC to drastically increase fees for registration. Some of you have been very creative and generated your own postcards at a local level. Well done. Amicus has made its own submission to the consultation this is available on our website at: www.msfhealth.org We are meeting the HPC on the 17th October to press our case for a partnership to approach the Government for greater support for its activities and not charging this additional cost to registrants. In addition to the issue of fees we will also be raising our concerns over the slow pace new groups will be accepted into state registration. We will of course report on any non-confidential items in a future issue of Reps Direct.
Thank you for your overwhelming response to the postcard campaign on the proposal of the HPC to drastically increase fees for registration. Some of you have been very creative and generated your own postcards at a local level. Well done.
Amicus has made its own submission to the consultation this is available on our website at: www.msfhealth.org
We are meeting the HPC on the 17th October to press our case for a partnership to approach the Government for greater support for its activities and not charging this additional cost to registrants. In addition to the issue of fees we will also be raising our concerns over the slow pace new groups will be accepted into state registration.
We will of course report on any non-confidential items in a future issue of Reps Direct.
2 Health & Safety Executive SurveyThe Health and Safety Executive are conducting a survey of problems faced by lone workers, violence in particular and how these problems can be overcome. They are looking for organisations which: Have workers, including mobile or self employed people; Adopt effective measures to prevent and manage work related violence Are willing to share good practice. I know from anecdotal evidence that there are some parts of the NHS which do take the issue seriously and others who do not. Those who do deal with the problem well should be sharing their good practice with the others. The HSE is trying to find a way of spreading the good news. If you are willing to help please contact the HSE at: The Violence Project Team Health and Safety Laboratory Broad Lane Sheffield, S3 7QH Tel 0114 289 2893 Fax 0114 289 2526 E-Mail: johanna.beswick@hsl.gov.uk Please copy to Colin Adkins, Amicus Research and Policy Officer.
The Health and Safety Executive are conducting a survey of problems faced by lone workers, violence in particular and how these problems can be overcome. They are looking for organisations which:
I know from anecdotal evidence that there are some parts of the NHS which do take the issue seriously and others who do not. Those who do deal with the problem well should be sharing their good practice with the others. The HSE is trying to find a way of spreading the good news.
If you are willing to help please contact the HSE at:
The Violence Project Team Health and Safety Laboratory Broad Lane Sheffield, S3 7QH
Tel 0114 289 2893 Fax 0114 289 2526
E-Mail: johanna.beswick@hsl.gov.uk
Please copy to Colin Adkins, Amicus Research and Policy Officer.
3 Healthcare Scientists Vital Role in Public Health CrisisThe case study below was recently issued in the Department of Health 'Modernisation in Action' bulletin. It demonstrates how much Amicus members are already contributing to modernisation. Healthcare scientists played a vital role in the management and treatment of patients affected in the Legionnaires outbreak in Cumbria. Biomedical scientists identified the Legionnaire bacteria and the results were relayed to doctors responsible for patient care. The scientists worked round the clock to locate testing kits from other hospitals and manufacturers. About 2,400 tests were carried out initially. Technical officers and electronics experts also helped enormously. Technical officers carried out ECG tests on all suspected patients and lung function tests were used to monitor patients' treatment and recovery. This meant a lot of extra hours. The electronics department had to ensure the specialist electronic equipment was available to monitor patients. § Good practice case studies can be sent to: NHS-News@doh.gsi.gov.uk Please include a brief summary and contact details.
The case study below was recently issued in the Department of Health 'Modernisation in Action' bulletin. It demonstrates how much Amicus members are already contributing to modernisation.
Healthcare scientists played a vital role in the management and treatment of patients affected in the Legionnaires outbreak in Cumbria. Biomedical scientists identified the Legionnaire bacteria and the results were relayed to doctors responsible for patient care. The scientists worked round the clock to locate testing kits from other hospitals and manufacturers. About 2,400 tests were carried out initially. Technical officers and electronics experts also helped enormously. Technical officers carried out ECG tests on all suspected patients and lung function tests were used to monitor patients' treatment and recovery. This meant a lot of extra hours. The electronics department had to ensure the specialist electronic equipment was available to monitor patients.
§ Good practice case studies can be sent to: NHS-News@doh.gsi.gov.uk Please include a brief summary and contact details.
4 Part Time Workers Pensions in the NHSThe Amicus MSF Pensions Officer, Bryan Freake, has prepared a briefing paper relating to a recent tribunal decision regarding the pension cases for part-time employees - with specific reference to the NHS. This paper is available via our website on www.msfhealth.org
The Amicus MSF Pensions Officer, Bryan Freake, has prepared a briefing paper relating to a recent tribunal decision regarding the pension cases for part-time employees - with specific reference to the NHS.
This paper is available via our website on www.msfhealth.org
5 Aintree NHS Trust - Three Star StatusA senior rep from Aintree NHS Trust has recently been in touch with Head Office to give some positive feedback from the Trust's attainment of Three Star Status. Below is the text from their e-mail. The three star status gained by Aintree NHS Trust has been well received, considering the bad press we received previously over long waits in the A&E dept. Apart from the celebrations after the announcement (coffee and cake to all staff members) it feels pleasing to belong to an organisation that has achieved this recognition. My personal thoughts and observations on the matter are; A gain in confidence throughout the trust, enabling staff to now know we are doing a good job and achieving set goals. The appearance of posters advertising the achievements of the trust. Important to inform the patients/public that we are a high achieving trust, increasing their confidence, and also increasing staff morale. The staff side are now involved more in lengthy dialogue with senior management (HR Director ) regarding the new HR strategy (HR in the NEW NHS). We hope to gain Agenda for Change early implementer status, this has been fully discussed at all stages with staff side reps. In conclusion a good and improving working relationship and trust is developing with management at Aintree NHS Trust.
A senior rep from Aintree NHS Trust has recently been in touch with Head Office to give some positive feedback from the Trust's attainment of Three Star Status. Below is the text from their e-mail.
The three star status gained by Aintree NHS Trust has been well received, considering the bad press we received previously over long waits in the A&E dept.
Apart from the celebrations after the announcement (coffee and cake to all staff members) it feels pleasing to belong to an organisation that has achieved this recognition.
My personal thoughts and observations on the matter are;
In conclusion a good and improving working relationship and trust is developing with management at Aintree NHS Trust.
6 Pathology ModernisationThe Amicus response to the consultation document from the Department of Health:
The Amicus response to the consultation document from the Department of Health:
Pathology - The Essential Service Draft Guidance on Modernising Pathology Services.
Will shortly be available on our website at www.msfhealth.org
7 Ban Bullying At Work DayThe week beginning Monday 14th October is European Safety Week. The theme for this year is work related stress. Briefings have already been sent to all safety reps and Regional Officers with co-ordinating responsibilities on health and safety. Roger Lyons is speaking at a TUC conference entitled "Tackle the Hassle" on the Monday, on the theme of stress, violence and bullying at the workplace. Tuesday 15th October has been declared Ban Bullying Day by Amicus, The Work Foundation, The Andrea Adams Trust and IRS Eclipse Publications. We are working together on this project although the main beneficiary will be Amicus. Please note, this is our initiative - it was offered to the TUC but they declined so we are doing this with the above named key organisations. We will be holding a launch of our campaign pack and call for support of the Dignity at Work Bill on Tuesday 15th October from 12.00 till 2.00 at Peter Runge House, 3 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5DG Speakers will include Lynne Witheridge of the Andrea Adams Trust, Baroness Anne Gibson, Roger Lyons General Secretary Amicus and Will Hutton of the Work Foundation. There will be a limited number of spaces available for anyone who is in London with a free hour or so and is interested in attending. If you wish to attend could you please e-mail Brian Harris of Amicus on the following email address. Brian.Harris@amicus-m.org More importantly, the campaign packs will be sent to all safety reps and there will be some left over for others to use. Again, contact Brian Harris or despatch with your requests. Clearly, we want to use this in our organising throughout the union.
The week beginning Monday 14th October is European Safety Week. The theme for this year is work related stress. Briefings have already been sent to all safety reps and Regional Officers with co-ordinating responsibilities on health and safety. Roger Lyons is speaking at a TUC conference entitled "Tackle the Hassle" on the Monday, on the theme of stress, violence and bullying at the workplace.
Tuesday 15th October has been declared Ban Bullying Day by Amicus, The Work Foundation, The Andrea Adams Trust and IRS Eclipse Publications. We are working together on this project although the main beneficiary will be Amicus. Please note, this is our initiative - it was offered to the TUC but they declined so we are doing this with the above named key organisations.
We will be holding a launch of our campaign pack and call for support of the Dignity at Work Bill on Tuesday 15th October from 12.00 till 2.00 at Peter Runge House, 3 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5DG
Speakers will include Lynne Witheridge of the Andrea Adams Trust, Baroness Anne Gibson, Roger Lyons General Secretary Amicus and Will Hutton of the Work Foundation.
There will be a limited number of spaces available for anyone who is in London with a free hour or so and is interested in attending. If you wish to attend could you please e-mail Brian Harris of Amicus on the following email address. Brian.Harris@amicus-m.org
More importantly, the campaign packs will be sent to all safety reps and there will be some left over for others to use. Again, contact Brian Harris or despatch with your requests. Clearly, we want to use this in our organising throughout the union.