Health Care Assistants

During this year’s Health Conference held in Cardiff, March 25^th – 29^th,motions were passed for the Health Service Group Executive to negotiate on our behalf. Motions that are carried at UNISON conferences become UNISON Policy.

Many motions were on the agenda regarding HCA’s and some of these were composites, this means that similar motions are joined together but must contain all the wording of the original motions. Following on from my previous articles about HCA’s, I would like to inform you about UNISON’s Policy to improve the lives of this staff group, I will endeavour to give you a brief outline of what was debated and carried.

Press the Government and the Pay Review Body to improve the pay of all unregistered staff.

Career progression through NVQ’s, to deliver a seamless progression, so those who have been stuck at level 2 can use their abilities and develop further.

HCA’s that move onto nurse training are not financially disadvantaged.

To ensure that all support staff are given the £150pa minimum funding for use in an Individual Learning Account.

Ensure that the NHS is the senior partner in the delivery of nurse training instead of universities, to have a Common Foundation Programme, rather than the UKCC competencies, this to enable good practice across the country.

All members of UNISON are welcome to view motions passed at conference, a copy can be found at the City Trade Union Office, please arrange times by telephoning ex 5953.

Unison will continue to represent all groups of staff regardless of grade and offers full membership rights to all of it’s members. Application forms are available from either of the TU offices, on line- http://pages.unisonfree.net/sdhealth or on the reverse of your newssheet ‘The Voice’.

Best Wishes

Jayne Barnard.