NEWS

VINDICATED WHISTLEBLOWERS NEED TO RECEIVE AN APOLOGY, SAY MPS Whistleblowers whose actions have been vindicated but have been bullied and victimised as a consequence of speaking out should be sought out and given an apology, MPs have said. It is among 21 recommendations set out in a Commons health committee report into raising concerns about the health service, published last week. The report says whistleblowers have lost their jobs and in some cases been unable to find similar employment. It adds: ‘This lack of confidence about the consequences of raising concerns has implications for patient safety.’ It calls for a reporting culture in the NHS similar to that found in other safety-critical sectors such as nuclear energy or aviation. ‘The Francis report is welcome, as the treatment of whistleblowers is a stain on the reputation of the NHS and has led to unwarranted, inexcusable pain for the courageous individuals affected,’ the report states.

RCN general secretary Peter Carter said it is essential for all NHS organisations to demonstrate to staff and patients that feedback is acted on and used to drive forward improvements in services.

Patients first

‘This report also makes clear how crucial it is that NHS staff who raise concerns are properly supported,’ he said. ‘Health workers have a duty to put their patients first and to share their worries about patient safety.’ NHS Employers chief executive Danny Mortimer said: ‘Employers recognise that properly listening and responding to complaints and concerns is a vital part of ensuring the safe care of patients.’ The committee held five evidence sessions last year as part of its enquiry. Witnesses included Helene Donnelly, the nurse who spoke up about poor care at Stafford Hospital.

UNSOCIAL HOURS PAY SHOULD BE INCREASED, RB TOLD

Unsocial hours pay should not only be retained but should be increased, Unison has told the independent body that advises the government on NHS pay. The pay review body (RB), at the request of the government, is investigating whether seven-day NHS services could be introduced at no extra cost. The Department of Health, in its submission to the RB, has suggested unsocial hours pay could be scrapped. But in its evidence, Unison says enhanced pay compensates staff for the impact on their work-life balance and recommends an uplift to incentivise out-of-hours working and help offset the impact of pay restraint over the past five years. Unison head of health Christina McAnea said: ‘Not paying staff fairly when they are working at night and weekends could be the final straw.’ The RB will report on seven-day working in July.

Thousands of NHS staff to walk out over pay Unions have vowed to press ahead with a 12-hour strike this week after talks to resolve the pay dispute with health secretary Jeremy Hunt failed. As Nursing Standard went to press unions, including Unison, Unite and the Royal College of Midwives, were locked in negotiations with the Department of Health (DH) over Mr Hunt’s refusal to give a 1 per cent pay rise to all NHS staff. The pay increase was recommended by the independent NHS Pay Review Body in March 2014. But Mr Hunt said the cost of living increase for all staff was unaffordable. Instead, only those at the top of their pay band, who will not get an incremental rise, were given the increase. Union members in England and Northern Ireland went on strike in October and November last year. They have also been working to rule

by taking all breaks and not doing unpaid overtime. Mr Hunt invited unions to a meeting last week, but not before Unison head of health Christina McAnea had criticised the government for choosing to ‘ignore problems over NHS pay’ since last summer. Further talks were held last week between DH officials and the unions.

THE ONGOING ATTACK ON PAY IS UNSUSTAINABLE – Josie Irwin

Ms McAnea said: ‘The planned industrial action will go ahead unless a fair pay deal for NHS workers can be reached.’ Mr Hunt chaired a Cobra meeting to discuss contingency plans ahead of the

12-hour walk-out by thousands of NHS nurses, midwives and other staff from 9am this Thursday. A DH spokesperson said: ‘We want to see the unions call off the industrial action planned at a time when services are under significant pressure. ‘We are doing everything possible to ensure vulnerable patients are not put at risk.’ The RCN was not invited to the meetings because its members were not balloted on strike action. But the college has opposed the government’s stance on pay by supporting members to be compensated for working overtime rather than doing it unpaid. RCN head of employment relations Josie Irwin said: ‘The government’s continued failure to find a solution to the pay dispute is irresponsible and the ongoing attack on pay and conditions is unsustainable.’

8 january 28 :: vol 29RCNi.com no 22 :: 2015 STANDARD Downloaded from by ${individualUser.displayName} on Dec 04, 2015. For personal use only. NoNURSING other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thousands of NHS staff to walk out over pay.

Unions have vowed to press ahead with a 12-hour strike this week after talks to resolve the pay dispute with health secretary Jeremy Hunt failed...
68KB Sizes 2 Downloads 7 Views