UNISON Highland Healthcare

Brief comment in Care Opinion, posted by the patient, about Radiology, Raigmore:

"Always pleasant and helpful,great service"

Pay scales for this year and proposed for 23/24:

UNISON NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS ARE APPROACHING!!

The NEC is elected every 2 years and has the full power and authority to act on behalf of UNISON in every respect and for every purpose falling within the objectives of UNISON.

UNISON is a democracy which means everyone gets a say in the election of our National Executive Council.

The ballot is conducted by post and voting starts from 17th April until 19th May 2023.

Therefore, we need to make sure we have the right address for you so that you receive your ballot. If you have recently moved or think your address may be wrong please contact us at [email protected] or call 01592 265317.

Courses from NHS Highland for staff:

Health Inequalities: Money counts courses

Level one aimed at anyone who is in a position to have a brief conversation with individuals around money worries. Course Length - 45mins over Microsoft TEAMS:

4/4/23 - 2.00 - 2.45pm

19/4/23 - 10.30 - 11.15am

Level two aims to increase confidence of staff working with people that may benefit from income maximisation and learn more about the services that are available.

20/3/23 - 2.00 - 3.30pm

Please note - you do not have to attend level 1 before level 2. Select the level that seems most appropriate for your interest

All of these courses can be booked on Turas Learn by searching under the Public Health zone or for more information contact: [email protected]

Great story about Dunoon emergency services, posted by the patient's relative in Care Opinion.

My grandmother was taken to hospital with sepsis. She was rapidly and expertly attended to by Scottish ambulance services and taken to Dunoon Community Hospital, where she received excellent care before transfer. In particular the nurses in Dunoon (Rachel and Susan) were extremely skilled, kind and the local area is lucky to have them. The paramedic/ imminently qualified paramedic (George) was also superb.

Wow great story posted on Care Opinion by the patient - about Gynaecology Raigmore.

Well done team!

There aren’t adequate words to express my gratitude for all the excellent and timely health treatment I’ve received at Raigmore Hospital over the last year. My local Munlochy surgery doctor acted so speedily when I saw her with some (to me) unusual symptoms last January - the response from the hospital was equally speedy.

Within two weeks I was at the beginning of a process of tests, examination, diagnosis, booking for a hysterectomy (over Easter weekend) and then just a few weeks later on to a course of chemotherapy. I’m now emerging out the other end regaining energy, feeling very well and so thankful.

Throughout the entire experience I have been highly aware of the care, compassion, professional skill and expertise of every single person I encountered, and am still encountering as follow up continues. From cleaner to consultant, every role in between, and all the different departments: gynaecology, radiology, surgeon, anaesthetist and surgery team, Ward 4a, medical science, the MacMillan Suite, and the Maggie’s Centre. And all happening in the face of the constraints and challenges they faced daily and still do - with Covid and staffing pressures.

They are all exceptional.

Happy International Women's Day!

Info about the Covid public enquiry...

COVID-19 public inquiry – ensuring our members' voices are heard - Magazine As the inquiry into the UK’s response to the pandemic prepares for its first public hearings, UNISON policy officer David Arnold outlines the process, the questions that will be addressed and the opportunities for members to share their experiences

Remaining AGMS (if you haven't already been to one):

Fort William (Friday 17 March, Alexandra Hotel, 6.00 pm), Inverness (Friday 24 March, Chieftain Hotel, 6.00 pm). We will also be holding virtual AGMs via Teams (you don’t need a Teams account; you can join as a guest) on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 March and you only need to attend one of the sessions listed.

https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/professional-fees-and-subscriptions

Don't forget you can claim tax relief on your professional fees (eg NMC or HCPC registration). Here's the link for more info

Claim tax relief for your job expenses Claiming tax relief on expenses you have to pay for your work, like uniforms, tools, travel and working from home costs

Update on process for implementing new national profiles (Band 3) for Nursing Clinical Support Workers

Note that the backdating to 2017 is as a result of a successful UNISON collective grievance which was lodged at that time.

(Apologies for long post)

Background

In August 2022 NHS Highland established a project group to manage a process to review all Band 2 Nursing Auxiliary posts within NHS Highland. The group reported to the Area Partnership Forum (APF) and followed Terms of Reference which are based on
STAC (Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee) guidance.

The project group met regularly and managed a process to review all Band 2 Nursing Auxiliary/ Nursing Clinical Support Workers posts within NHS Highland. Detailed background data, Job Description information and assessment guidance was finalised by the group and distributed to operational managers and senior nursing staff across NHS Highland for appropriate action.

In partnership with local staff side representatives, the project group agreed a process on how NHS Highland would review all existing Band 2 Nursing Clinical Support Workers job descriptions to ensure that they are up to date and reflect the role and
responsibilities of the postholder.

NHS Highland agreed that any adjustments to bandings would be backdated to 22 November 2017 where appropriate. In applying the change to pay, Nursing Clinical Support Workers would not experience any detriment because of the change.

Current Position

Operational areas have now almost completed the process of considering their past, present and future needs in relation to the provision of Nursing Clinical Support to ensure that service requirements can be provided/maintained/developed in accordance with NHS Highland service delivery plans.

Operational areas were asked to return their assessments by 14 November 2022 for the project group to collate and review before passing on to payroll for appropriate banding adjustments. This proved to be a significant challenge as around 700 staff required to
be assessed across the whole of the Highland area. Service pressures over the Winter and staff availability hampered the collection of data and the return date was extended to ensure appropriate attention was given to the staff affected by the exercise. The project Group now have 94% of assessments returned and are preparing to pass the information to payroll for processing. Around 86% of the assessments received involve regrading staff to Band 3.

At this time, it is not possible to give a date for payment of new rates and any arrears. This is a significant exercise requiring substantial manual payroll resources and recent national requirements to action pay awards for 2022/23 and arrears plus the prospect of dealing with the implementation of a possible agreement on the 2023/24 in April/ May, make it difficult to give a timeline. It remains NHS Highland’s intention to action changes as soon as is possible.

This has been a complex and challenging exercise involving a large number of staff, managers and senior nurses across the whole of Highland and we thank you for your time, attention and patience as we work through the final stages of progressing the assessment outcomes through payroll.

Further updates and information on payment timetable will be provided through the Weekly Round Ups.

David McArthur & Elspeth Caithness

Joint Chairs, NCSW Project Group

New national care service law to be delayed The three candidates in the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon have all said they want to revisit the current plans.

NHS pay ballot 23/24 now live. UNISON recommends accept. Please vote!

UNISON recommends Scotland’s NHS staff accept new pay offer as ballot launches - UNISON Scotland Scotland’s largest health union, UNISON, has today (Wednesday) began balloting its 50,000 health members on pay – with the union

UNISON Scotland’s health committee met this week to consider the pay offer and has recommended members vote to accept the pay deal.

The consultative digital ballot will open tomorrow (Wednesday) and close at 12pm on Friday, March 17.

👉 https://unison-scotland.org/unison-scotland-recommends-nhs-staff-accept-scottish-government-pay-offer/

Ballot for 23/24 pay offer

NHS Pay 2023/24 - UNISON Scotland The Scottish government’s have made a pay offer to NHS workers for the financial year starting in April 2023. As

UNISON Scotland statement on Nicola Sturgeon's resignation - UNISON Scotland UNISON Scotland regional secretary, Tracey Dalling said: “Nicola Sturgeon is a huge figure in Scottish politics – a constant presence

The staffing crisis in our NHS - letter to MSPs - UNISON Scotland UNISON Scotland has today (Monday) written to all MSPs to raise key concerns about the staffing crisis in our NHS

AGMs

You know from here - and from notices sent direct to members - that Annual General Meetings are happening in various places. We'd like to put a wee reminder/plug for the Inverness meeting though - this is happening on Friday 26 March at 6pm in the Chieftain Hotel. A meal will be provided after the meeting, also live music provided by Wonderland. (Your name will also be entered into a prize draw). It promises to be a fun evening! If you have not already done so, please could you email the Branch at [email protected] to book your place...

Winter fuel grants | There for You (UNISON Welfare) | UNISON National The UNISON Winter Fuel Grant is closed to applications. This closed once the first 2000 applications were received. Please be advised that UNISON

https://www.unison.org.uk/news/general-secretary-blog/2023/01/blog-why-we-must-defend-the-right-of-working-people-to-strike/

Blog: Why we must defend the right of working people to strike | General secretary's blog, News | News | UNISON National The anti-strike bill is draconian and undemocratic, and will do nothing to fix the problems this government has caused

https://www.unison.org.uk/events/tuc-day-of-protest-protect-the-right-to-strike/

TUC day of protest – Protect the Right to Strike | Events | UNISON National TUC day of action and protest across Great Britain to defend the right to strike and against the Strikes (minimum service levels) Bill proposed in the

Protect the right to strike! This government has gone from clapping key workers to threatening them with the sack if they take lawful action for a pay rise. Instead of listening to the concerns of working people and negotiating fair deals, Rishi Sunak has decided to undermine the right to strike. As the cost-of-living crisis co...

Due to late cancellations two places are available at this course:

UNISON Member Learning

Mental Health First Aid (face to face)
Date: 26-27 January 9.30am - 4.30pm (both days)
Venue: Moray Firth Training, Harbour Road, Inverness

If you wish to book a fully funded place, place email Marta at [email protected]

A key part of the 2022/23 NHS pay deal was a commitment by Government to open the 23/24 pay talks without delay.

UNISON can confirm that Scottish Government have offered a pay meeting for this week (Thurs 19th) and there are discussions ongoing across the trade union side to ensure that the staff side is fully represented. UNISON will be a key player in those talks.

Head of Health Matt McLaughlin said: “We welcome the fact that government have reached out to begin talks early, it would be great if we could secure a meaningful pay rise for UNISON members early in 2023 to help them with the ongoing cost of living pressures. There is however along way to go before we have any details.

As always UNISON branches and members will be kept informed and consulted at all and any significant stages in the negotiations

Do you work in social care in the private/voluntary sector?

This year we have the opportunity to develop the strongest workforce voice, in the Private, Community & Voluntary for those who work in social care.

UNISON CVS Sector Committee Policy weekend is taking place in February, for branch delegates from all over Scotland. Its free of cost.

Why not contact your UNISON branch to request a delegation. Remember we can help if you have childcare and caring responsibilities.

On -17/18th February 2023

Where - Golden Jubilee Hotel, Clydebank

Who - Branch delegates welcome from the community, voluntary & private sector.

What - Organising in Scotland's National care service, what about the Workers?

If you're interested in going as a Highland delegate, please get in touch with the Branch.

One worth signing if you haven't already?

Protect the right to strike! This government has gone from clapping key workers to threatening them with the sack if they take lawful action for a pay rise. Instead of listening to the concerns of working people and negotiating fair deals, Rishi Sunak has decided to undermine the right to strike. As the cost-of-living crisis co...

UNISON Welfare’s Winter Fuel Grant will launch on 25th January 2023.

Eligibility
Applicants must be a UNISON member, have paid at least four weeks subscriptions at the time of applying. Subscriptions must be up to date.
You do not have savings of more than £1000 this includes rolling bank balance.

Only one application per household will be considered.

You/your partner must be responsible for household fuel bills and
EITHER you are on a low income:
For a single person this means under £18,200 per annum/£350 per week
For a family this means under £26,000 per annum/£500 per week.

* Please note that proof of income will be required on submitting your application. Checks may be carried out to verify any information included in this application form.
OR you are in receipt of one of the following benefits:
Housing Benefit
Universal Credit
https://www.unison.org.uk/winter-fuel-grants/

Join UNISON today https://bit.ly/3fr8AIA