Poor Managers 'Put NHS at Risk'
"Striking and depressing" local management is putting future improvements in the NHS at risk, a report by MPs has said. The House of Commons' - Health Committee said poor analytical and planning skills meant the aims set out in last summer's review risked being missed .... continued
A hospital's "appalling" emergency care resulted in patients dying needlessly, the NHS watchdog has said. About 400 more people died at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2008 than would be expected, the Healthcare Commission said. It said there were deficiencies at "virtually every stage" of emergency care and managers pursued targets to the detriment of patient care ... continued
What the horrors of Stafford Hospital tell us about the ills of the NHS.
"An isolated disaster, a fatal case of bureaucracy, or a sign of the NHS's future? This scandal could be all three." ... continued
Ten health trusts have worse death rates than the hospital where at least 400 patients died needlessly because of “shocking and appalling” standards of care, the Sunday Telegraph can reveal. A damning watchdog report detailed a catalogue of failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, including dehydrated patients being forced to drink out of flower vases while others were left in soiled linen on filthy wards. The scandal of poor care at Mid Staffordshire was only uncovered when unusually high death rates at the hospital triggered secret NHS alerts.
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NHS trusts failing patients over complaints.
Almost half of grievances not dealt with properly, says Healthcare Commission.
Almost half the people who complain about NHS treatment are not getting a satisfactory response from their NHS trust, a report revealed today.
The Healthcare Commission, which reviews complaints against trusts, said the results of its 2007-2008 overview showed that some trusts were still not responding to complaints effectively or learning lessons from them. See full story HERE
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued an "improvement notice" against an NHS trust for failings surrounding its management of work-related stress. The notice against United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is only the second time the HSE has taken this radical step. The first notice was issued in 2003 against West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust, following complaints about bullying and long working hours, and led to a rapid improvement in stress management. See full story HERE
After the needless deaths of patients at Stafford Hospital, is it time to put the brake on the expansion of foundation trusts?
The union, UNISON, certainly think so. And the Labour MP for Nottingham South, Alan Simpson, tells the East Midlands Politics Show, there is too much emphasis on cost-cutting to achieve foundation status.
See full story HERE
Independent Safeguarding Authority
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is a new public body which has been created to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults. From October 2009, all individuals working or volunteering with vulnerable adults or children will be required to register with the ISA. This will affect over 11 million people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
UNISON is not opposed to the ISA but we are opposed to our members having to pay to register, UNISON is currently in national negotiations to get the employer to meet the full cost of registration .... full details HERE
Administrative and clerical staff
There are over 140,000 Admin and Clerical staff in the NHS, most of whom are UNISON members.
The NHS could not function without this 'hidden workforce' yet for too long they have been taken for granted.
That is why UNISON have launched a campaign to defend the role of NHS Admin and Clerical staff. We wanted to hit back at media and politicians' attacks on what they call 'NHS Bureaucrats'. UNISON teamed up with the NHS Confederation to launch the facts about the crucial role of these staff. UNISON have produced case studies showing real people in a range of administrative, clerical and managerial jobs to show how they make a direct and vital contribution to health care delivery.
Accusations in the media that the NHS employers 'an army of bureaucrats' are not only untrue, but hugely damaging to the morale of our members, who are hardworking and committed NHS staff. Our campaign - 'Completing the Picture' - is about setting out the facts and demonstrating how Admin and Clerical staff are absolutely crucial if clinicians are to deliver first-class services to patients. More about the campaign and how to order copies of the pack HERE
Ancillary and maintenance workers provide the support services enabling the delivery of our National Health Service.
UNISON has over 70,000 members working in ancillary and maintenance jobs within the UK. The largest group within this sector consists of cleaning staff, who are predominantly female and earn the lowest pay in the health service.
UNISON has been instrumental in bringing the campaign for a decent and fair living wage for ancillary and maintenance staff to a national audience.
UNISON has championed the cause of low paid ancillary and maintenance workers since its inception in 1993. The eradication of low pay remains the key campaigning issue within this sector.
This sector covers a wide range of support roles, including:
- Cleaners
- Porters
- Caterers
- Sterile service assistants
- Laundry workers
- Maintenance staff
Many of our members within this sector have been transferred out of the NHS to work for the increasing number of private contractors who have taken over the provision of cleaning, catering and maintenance services within our hospitals and health centres.
UNISON takes a twin track approach to private contractors - voicing strong opposition to contracting out these vital services, whilst trying to ensure that members who work for contractors receive fair treatment and trade union representation.
Pay Circular 2009/2010
This circular informs NHS organisations of the changes to national pay scales that take effect from 1 April 2009 for staff covered by the Agenda for Change agreement. This follows the recommendation of the NHS Pay Review Body not to re-open the previously agreed pay uplift for 2009/10 which formed the second year of the multi year agreement. PAY CIRCULAR
