ICT should focus on providing better services not cuts, says UNISON report

Date: Monday 30 November 2015

A UNISON Scotland report Disconnected, published today, 30 November 2015, claims that ICT services should focus on better services. The report highlights that ICT systems are all too often seen as a way of providing cheaper rather than improved public services.

This UNISON report is qualitative research of ICT staff across Scotland working across a range of public services. In local government, NHS, housing associations, universities, the police and elsewhere.

It finds that ICT systems are central to all our public services, ICT departments are feeling the brunt of cuts, and many ICT experts are leaving public sector either through redundancies or to find work elsewhere and they not being replaced.

ICT staff say they are not listened to. That morale is low. When they give warnings of problems coming down the line they are ignored. They see big opportunities to improve public services wasted in favour of short term savings to budgets. They feel ICT is too often seen as a way of delivering cuts rather than improving delivery of public services for us all. There is a lack of awareness of the potential of ICT

In common with other public services ICT staff say they are stressed by too much work and not enough people to deliver it. Staff talk of a ‘circle of decline’

Dave Watson, head of UNISON bargaining and campaigns said, ‘ICT is often thought of in terms of the hardware however its success is reliant on ICT staff and their understanding of public services and how we interact with technology. Public services must meet complex needs and ICT has a central role to play in that, it simply needs harnessed properly.’

Dave continued, ‘Public services ICT workers could make a real contribution to improving our public services, if we invested in them to develop their ideas. However employers tend to adapt private sector solutions with big promises to save budgets instead. In fact we are seeing big cuts in ICT staff and their departments, so it is no wonder we see big ICT projects going over budget or failing altogether.’

END

Notes

• Full UNISON report Disconnected:
  http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/
  Disconnected_ICTStaffSurvey_Nov2015.pdf
• UNISON Scotland is the public services union and the biggest union in Scotland. We represent ICT workers in public and community based services across Scotland

Let's work together to make new QEU hospital a success, says UNISON general secretary

Date: Thursday 13 August 2015

Photo opportunity: Time: 12 noon
Date: Thursday 13 August 
Place: UNISON shop, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Road G51 4TF

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis is to visit the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital today (Thursday). 

Dave and UNISON's national head of health Christina McAnea will be given a tour of the brand new hospital by senior NHS managers, when they will meet patients and staff and spend time listening to UNISON members about their early experiences of working in the new buildings.

Dave will also officially open the new UNISON shop which is located in the main thoroughfare of the new hospital building.

UNISON general secretary (UK) Dave Prentis said: “UNISON is the biggest union in the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, and we recruiting many new members every week. It’s important that I hear direct from them about both good and bad issues they face when providing day to day patient care.

"The new UNISON shop will be great asset. It will be a place where UNISON members can join up, get advice and support, and report problems. It's impossible to build a hospital as big and complex as this and for it not to have a few teething problems.

"Our members see things that hospital managers who are running a big hospital can sometimes miss. And they will have good ideas about how we can improve patient care. If everyone works together, this fantastic new hospital could meet its vision of providing world-leading patient care for many years to come.”

Notes to editors:

Dave Prentis will visit the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Thursday 13 August 2015
He will be available for photos at the UNISON hospital shop at 12 noon on Thursday  

Hospital website is here http://www.nhsggc.org.uk/patients-and-visitors/main-hospital-sites/queen-elizabeth-university-hospital-campus/the-queen-elizabeth-university-hospital-glasgow/

UNISON Scotland welcomes breakthrough in tackling low pay in the NHS

Friday 3 July 2015

UNISON Scotland’s Health Committee today welcomed a breakthrough in the fight against poverty pay with the Scottish Government agreeing to a review of the lowest pay band.

This development highlights the benefits of Partnership working which has been the basis of industrial relations in NHSScotland since 1999 and further enshrines the commitment of Scottish Government and the Trades Unions to eradicating low pay in the NHS. We further believe that this gives NHS Scotland an opportunity to promote career progression within the Agenda For Change framework.
‎

Tom Waterson Chair of UNISON Health Committee said “this initiative with the Scottish Government is a major step forward to fulfilling our commitment and indeed Scottish Government’s commitment to improving the lives of our dedicated NHS staff. Further, to have done so without any disruption to our Health Service and our membership again shows what can be achieved when all the parties engage in partnership working.”  

Regional Organiser for NHS Glasgow and Clyde, Matt McLaughlin said, "Scotland's biggest Health Board worked actively with UNISON to invest in support staff, the result provided a higher salary for low paid workers, but it also ensured that the skills, flexibility, range of duties and of course recruitment and retention were significantly enhanced, providing many benefits for the health board and a direct benefit to patients."

For further information contact:
Tam Waterson Chair of UNISON Scotland’s Health Committee 07753 627 575
Matt McLaughlin, UNISON regional organiser 07904 341 979

Notes for editors  

Recently published Scottish Govt workforce statistics confirm that:

There are around 19000 ( headcount) support staff in NHS Scotland the majority of which are domestics, catering assistants, porters.

5500 are paid the lowest pay band (1) with 91% of these workers being at the top at the top of their salary scale.

NHS Scotland already pays the living wage (£7.85per hour) increasing all staff to band 2 would allow low paid workers the opportunity to earn an extra £420 in the first year with the opportunity to increase earnings via annual increments to £17803 per year.

ENDS

UNISON calls on MSPs to oppose fees increase for health and care professionals

Date: Monday 15 June 2015

UNISON is calling on MSPs to oppose new legislation which aims to substantially increase registration fees for professions registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.  

The Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee will consider this subordinate legislation (regulations) at its meeting on Tuesday, 16 June. UNISON is requesting an opportunity to give evidence to the committee to say why they oppose increased fees.

Dave Watson, UNISON Scotland head of bargaining and campaigns said:

"Staff have no choice but to pay this fee to work and at best have had a meagre 1% pay rise in accordance with the Scottish Government pay policy.

"On the other hand the Health and Care Professions Council is proposing a 12.5% rise to their professional fees. 

NHS union to discuss pay bargaining

Date: Thursday 11 June 2015

Over 60 stewards and union staff from NHS union UNISON meet in Ayr today (Thurs) to plan the union's future strategy on pay in NHS Scotland.

Speaking at the annual policy event Tam Waterson Chairperson of the Scottish Health Committee said:  “UNISON believes in the NHS and UK bargaining on pay and conditions, however our members across the UK have experienced different pay deals, determined simply by which nation they live in, the time is now right for Scottish unions to negotiate with our government on pay."

Pay for NHS workers is determined by an independent pay review body (PRB). In recent years only the Scottish Government has honoured the recommendations, however the union remains critical over the level of pay awards which amount to a real terms cut in NHS workers' wages.

Tam Waterson said:
"UNISON has welcomed the Scottish Government's commitment to the PRB and we recognise that this is better than our members received in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Student nurses bursaries not fit for purpose, says UNISON report

Tuesday 2 June 2015

UNISON  is calling on the Scottish Government to urgently increase bursary rates for Student Nurses and Midwives in the next academic year. This recommendation is part of the UNISON’s report Caring, Learning and Worried about Money which was published today (Tuesday 2 June 2015).

The survey of student nurses across Scotland found that 85% of student nurses relied on financial support from family and 83% say they have been in debt in the last year. Around half (42%) were running up credit card debts, 14% took out a loan and 6% had turned to high street loan companies.

Matt McLaughlin UNISON’s regional organiser for the NHS said: 
 "The present system of funding student nurses and midwives is clearly unfit for purpose.

Union offers safety advice to staff following hospital sexual assaults

Thursday 15 January 2015

NHS union UNISON Scotland is advising staff to be more vigilant than normal after two separate incidents of sexual assault at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) in recent weeks.

The union has also contacted employers demanding that specific advice about personal safety and relevant details are shared with local staff to ensure that they are aware of the issue and can take reasonable steps to ensure their safety.

Branch Secretary Cathy Miller said, “we have been in touch with the employers demanded extra security be put in place; that staff are given some basic information to help them stay safe at work and that local managers are pro active around staff safety when taking decisions.”

 “In the absence of any formal advice to staff UNISON felt it was important that we let our members know that we are aware of the issue and are pressing for action. We would urge staff to be extra vigilant; where possible to travel to and from work with colleagues (and not alone); to report any suspicious behaviour to your line manager and local security and if appropriate to record any specific concerns about safety in the datex system.”

The message being given by UNISON to staff in the GRI is;

 The chance of you becoming a victim of this kind of crime are relatively low – even in the current circumstance. Police Scotland advise that there are a number of simple steps you can take to further reduce the risk to yourself.

What general steps can I take?

• Plan your journey.
• Tell someone when and where you’re going and when to expect you to get there.
• Carry a mobile phone and make sure it’s charged.
• Be aware of your surroundings and look confident about where you are going.
• Avoid listening to personal stereos which can make you less aware of what’s happening around you.
• Personal attack alarms are good to have – makes sure you carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately. Choose a type which continues to sound if you activate and then drop it.
• DON’T carry weapons or items such as pepper spray – this is illegal.

How do I stay safe on foot?

• When out walking, always attempt to walk facing the traffic so that a car cannot pull up behind you.
• If you think someone is following you, check by safely crossing to the other side of the street - cross more than once if necessary. If the person behind you crosses also and you believe that your suspicions are confirmed, stay to main, busy routes until you get to the first safe place and contact the police. Avoid using a phone box in the street as this gives the person following you an opportunity to trap you.
• If you regularly go jogging or cycling, try to vary your route and the time you go. Stick to well-lit, preferably busy, roads with pavements and avoid wooded areas.
• Don't take short-cuts through dark alleyways, parks or waste ground

Please pass this advice on to your colleagues across GRI.

NHS porter’s workloads and stress go up as their wages go down, claims UNISON report

Wed 17 Dec 2014

NHS Porters are under pressure and their workloads are going up while the value of their wages are going down. The report also concludes that their training is patchy and there are reports of lack of equipment to allow them to do their job properly.

These are the conclusions of a study UNISON has conducted among NHS porters. This report also suggests a growth in zero hour contracts and widespread reports of understaffing.

The report ‘Breaking Point’ was derived from surveys of Porters across the NHS in Scotland. 

Tam Waterson Chair of UNISON Scotland’s Health Committee said, “This study shows that porters like other workers in the NHS are under stress, working harder but seeing the value of their wages go down. It increases pressure on all NHS workers which impacts on the delivery of services for patients. Porters aren’t the glamorous end of the NHS, but they matter and the NHS is a team effort and we need to take their concerns seriously”

ends

Notes to Editor

1. UNISON is the biggest trade union in Scotland, and UNISON is the biggest trade union in NHS Scotland

2. Full report, Breaking Point,  can be read here: http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/publicworks/BreakingPoint_HospitalPorterSurvey_Dec2014.pdf

UNISON on The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry report

Commenting on the long-awaited independent inquiry into patient deaths at the Vale of Leven Hospital which was published today (Monday) UNISON regional organiser, Matt McLaughlin, said:

“The outbreak of C difficile at Vale of Leven in 2007/08 was tragic and, even this long after the deaths, our thoughts must be with the people who lost relatives and friends because of the failures set out in Lord MacLean’s report.

“Public service workers don’t go to work and expect to find themselves at the centre of such heartbreaking and difficult circumstances. Our members want to help people get better and we are pleased this report recognises the reasons for this tragedy were systemic, rather than person-centred.

Under pressure – UNISON survey shows Scotland’s occupational therapists struggling to maintain service

Tue 11 Nov 2014

A report out today (Tuesday 11 Nov 2014) by UNISON shows that Scotland’s occupational therapists are struggling to maintain the level of service their patients need in light of budget cuts and staffing shortages.

Those surveyed in the report – Under Pressure: Scotland’s occupational therapists speak out – said they had huge concerns about the impact cuts are having on the service. An overwhelming majority (82%) reported increased workloads, 60% reported having to cope with reduced members of staff and almost half (48%) reported funding cuts.

There were recurring themes among the concerns: assessments being overruled because of resource pressures; and failure by management to replace absent colleagues, specifically for maternity leave which, given the virtually all-female composition of the workforce, is more common than in many other groups of staff. When asked if they regularly worked more than their contracted hours 60% of respondents said they did – an extra five hours a week was the average. While the majority (58%) of respondents reported their standard of living had dropped in the last 3-4 years. 

Health inequalities report marks NHS 66th birthday

Tomorrow is the 66th anniversary of the NHS in Scotland. Yes, even before devolution, the NHS in Scotland had a separate statutory basis.
    As our contribution to the commemorations, UNISON Scotland has produced its latest paper on health inequalities in Scotland. Not just another analysis of the problem, but some practical measures as well.
http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/response/20140630HealthInequalitiesinScotland.pdf

Privatisation warning on social care integration

#uNDC14 Margo Cranmer from Lanarkshire Health warned Conference today that the commitment UNISON has won in Scotland of no privatisation in the NHS needs to be delivered for the integration agenda as well.

Backing a wide-ranging motion pledging a campaign to defend our NHS, Margo paid tribute to the Scottish Health Committee for “their relentless campaigning that has led to all political parties saying there will be no privatisation of the NHS in Scotland.”

NHS Pay recommendations implemented in full in Scotland

NHS staff in Scotland are to benefit from a pay rise in 2014/15, thanks to changes agreed by the Scottish Government.

From 1 April 2014, NHS staff in Scotland will receive a one per cent pay uplift, while staff earning under £21,000 will also receive an additional sum to increase their pay by £300 in total.

The changes will be implemented after the Scottish Government accepted recommendations from the NHS Pay Review Body and Doctors’ and Dentists’ Pay Review Body (DDRB).

Health Secretary Alex Neil said:

“I was clear when Jeremy Hunt first suggested reneging on the one per cent pay offer for NHS staff in England that we would block that move here and that we would fully implement the modest increase in Scotland.

“Today, I can confirm we’ll deliver on that approach in Scotland’s NHS, ensuring our hardworking and dedicated staff rightly receive the wage increases they were promised.

“This means that all NHS staff groups in Scotland covered by the remits of these bodies will receive a one per cent pay increase, and we will supplement the pay of those currently earning under £21,000 to ensure they receive a total increase of £300.

“I have also taken steps to ensure that no NHS Scotland worker can be paid below the Scottish Living Wage.

“Our commitment to this pay increase, and to the living wage, for NHS workers underlines our commitment to frontline staff delivering services for the people of Scotland.

“The new rates of pay will be payable from 1 April 2014.”

Tom Waterson, Chairman of Unison's Scottish health committee, said:

“We are delighted the Scottish Government has decided to implement the recommendations of the pay review body in full.

“We would urge the UK Government to also commit to paying health service staff the recommendations in full. We went into these negotiations in good faith and we expect the clear recommendations of the pay review body to be delivered. It is good news for NHS staff that the Scottish Government have committed to doing that.”

Notes To Editors

Agenda for Change Pay Band 5 is the most common for nurses in Scotland.

For example, a Band 5 nurse who began work on 1 October 2011, would currently be on £22,903.

In England, they will get no increase in pay on 1 April 2014. They will stay on £22,903 until 1 October 2014 when they will get incremental progression to £23,825.

In Scotland, this staff member will get a one per cent increase in pay on 1 April 2014. Their salary will therefore rise to £23,132. On 1 October 2014 they will get incremental progression to £24,063.

This means in March 2015, this nurse would be £238 better off in Scotland.

Scotland joins biggest ever Manchester rally

#NHS299 Scottish branches are among the tens of thousands marching through Manchester today to save our NHS. Police estimates at the moment put the marchers at 50,000 with more still arriving. Some reports say it is the biggest demo Manchester has seen in recent times.

At one stage the UNISON Scotland banner was proudly at the front until the poles broke again. Questions are being asked as to whether banner bearer extraordinaire Stephen Low knows his own strength!

UNISON Scotland convener Lilian Macer addressed demonstrators at the start of the march which included delegations from Glasgow Clyde and CVS, Clackmannashire, Highland, and Edinburgh.

Call to end 'draconian' ban on cig breaks for hospital staff

The Evening Times reported yesterday on UNISON complaints over the way NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is implementing new anti-smoking policy.

UNISON Scotland Regional Organiser Matt McLaughlin, lead organiser for nursing, warned health officials against taking a heavy handed approach.

Caroline Wilson's report says:

"HEALTH chiefs in Glasgow have been urged to abandon a "draconian and heavy-handed" policy which bans staff smoking on tea breaks.

UNISON members' Blackpool trip - union support in good times as well as bad

#JoinUNISON

Members from UNISON Scotland's branch at the State Hospital, Carstairs, have just enjoyed a day trip to Blackpool.

Lots of members' children took part in the fun day out which they said was roller coaster fantastic.

A branch spokesperson said: "The weather was unbelievably good, with bright sunshine all day.

"Our branch gave each child a £20 gift to help with the cost and I think all the children had a great time.

"But the main thing about our day out is the fact that our union is not just about the bad times, dealing with problems at work, grievances and so on.

"It's about being united as a group of people who just want what is right, fair and equal for one another.

"This is a great union, not just in the bad times, but in the fun times too."

The branch gave a vote of thanks to Tom, who made all the arrangements.

UNISON Scotland – why we’re answering the call for our NHS

#NHS999

The Tories are attacking our NHS too ...

David Cameron and George Osborne might not run NHS Scotland, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t attacking it. We must fight to save it.

Devolution means they can’t run down and privatise our NHS directly, the way they are doing in England. But what they can do is starve it of resources. They are cutting back on the money provided to the Scottish Government and this puts the health budget under pressure.

Private firms asked to bid for NHS work for next 3 years

A report by Helen Puttick in The Herald today says that private firms are being invited to bid for NHS work for the next three years... "days after health secretary Alex Neil described the use of the independent sector 'as a temporary phenomenon'."

This followed news that health board spending on private healthcare went up by nearly 60% last year.

UNISON's Willie Duffy, lead organiser for health, is quoted in the Herald report, condemning the use of the private sector in this way. He said: "We should be investing in quality NHS services rather than pouring money into private healthcare.

“It is common sense that money going to pay to have these operations carried out privately would be better spent within the NHS.”

Hundreds of health workers win backdated maternity leave public holidays - #JoinUNISON

6 June 2013

Women health workers in Scotland are to receive backdated public holidays they were wrongly denied while on maternity leave.

NHS mums, including nurses, physiotherapists, cleaners, midwives, admin workers and other staff, could receive up to seven days if they were in full time posts. Women who have had more than one period of maternity leave since 2008 would be due backdated holidays for each period.

UNISON members tell Newsnight Scotland about workload pressures on nurses and midwives

25 April 2013 #JoinUNISON

UNISON health workers spoke out on Newsnight Scotland last night about the pressures on overworked staff.

Nurse Cathy Miller and community midwife Catherine Lewis described day to day stresses of the job for staff expected to do more and more in the same hours.

Cathy said that paperwork and bureaucracy has increased to such an extent that members report struggling "between direct patient care and paperwork care".

Catherine explained that growing workloads causes real strains as staff, even after prioritising the care they provide, may have to work through breaks, have no breaks, work beyond their shift, with consequent effects on their personal life - all "to deliver the level of care we want to deliver", because staff have a conscience and want to do the job properly.

The whole interview is on BBC iPlayer, about 2 mins 10 seconds in.

Matt McLaughlin, UNISON Scotland's lead organiser for nursing, said today that our survey published last week (report in the Herald) showed that members "across Scotland and the rest of the UK feel they are regularly short staffed.

"This leads to people not taking breaks, working on extra and people feeling they don't have time to provide the added quality in their care that is in fact an essential part of the job.

"This is why we have called for minimum staffing levels. We see that as a reasonable and safe way to provide care for patients across the UK."








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