April 11th 2001 @ The Lodge, Hartismere Hospital, Castleton Way. Eye

In attendance: Jane Sutton (Chair) Saadia Larham, Julie Harrison, Julia Havers, Matthew Robinson, Margaret Goddard,  David Edginton, Ian Talbot, Philip Bloyce

 Guests: Marilyn Maxwell, Marilyn Wright

 Apologies: Geoff Reason, Ray Hill, Dean Bevan, Gordon Morris, Andy Willcox, Richard Cable, Jackie Taylor, Paul Taylor

 Meeting started at 15:10

 Minutes from the last meeting were not approved due to late cancellation.

1.    NHS Individual Learning Accounts

Joint guests to the April Branch meeting were Marilyn Maxwell and Marilyn Wright speaking about the new NHS Individual Learning accounts. They asked for approval and support from Suffolk HealthCare Branch.

What is an NHS Individual Learning Account:
Individual Learning Accounts are aimed at staff with little or no formal qualifications. The only staff unable to qualify from the gaining an NHS ILA would be those who are currently engaged with a National Vocational Qualification. However, those doing NVQ's at the present can apply to the dept of education for an ILA and receive up to £150 to cover the cost of training.
Staff not currently engaged with NVQ's, can apply for both NHS and the Dept of Education ILA's. This would in effect, give up to £300 towards future training needs. Anybody who needs educational direction or is presently on a ‘Return to Learn’ or ‘Communication’ course could start an ILA. Also on offer is a ‘Pathways to the Future’ course targeted at NHS support staff. ‘Improve Your Study Skills’ is also an option, aimed at staff who may want to progress on to nursing or even higher educational studies. But please note the training needs must be work related and not job related. All the courses are designed to help staff with their ‘Personal Development Plans' and should be independent of what a manager may think which course would be more suitable. The new introduction of PDP's will start this April 2001. Keeping in mind that ILA’s are only available to employees working for the NHS, means those staff presently working for example with "Sodexho", would miss out. However, Philip Bloyce pointed out that in the event of whether or not the present contract remains with Sodexho, is to be seen. On the other hand, should the contract return to the NHS for in-house services if LHP succeeds the contract, those staff would then become eligible under the scheme.
In conclusion, it was agreed that Suffolk HealthCare Branch would help assist NHS ILA’s by working alongside LHP NHS Trust and Suffolk Health Authority and publicise jointly, co-ordinate and advise employees interested in this worthy venture.

2.   Approval of Credit Union

A proposed Ipswich based Credit Union approached Suffolk HealthCare for support of the new local venture, which hopefully will expand later in the year to Stowmarket. Although Credit Unions are not new, Suffolk has not been involved until recently. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) requires affirmation that enough people will join the scheme prior to being granted a licence to trade.

      What is a Credit Union?
A Credit Union is a form of savings scheme, which offers the normal base rate that of the banking institutions. Savers can put in as little as £1.00 per week or as much as the wish, but not on a single lump sum basis. Money can be put into the scheme directly from salary, standing order from any bank or building society or from the shop, which it is hoped will be located in the shopping precinct near Wherstead Road in Ipswich.
Once a member of the scheme, borrowing money too couldn’t be easier. There is no high interest rate charged on the debt either and the member simply carries on saving as usual until the debt is cleared and the account goes into credit once again. This is also good news for those who may have County Court Judgments (CCJ) outstanding as no reference checks are made. More information can be found by contacting Sally. Tel: 0845 4583088 after 4:30 PM. mailto: ipswichcu@hotmail.com

3.   Recruitment of new members

Suffolk HealthCare Branch smashed the recruitment targets set last year from the regional office in Chelmsford. The Branch thanks all Branch representatives who continue to recruit new members.

4.   Support & role of Union reps

It was agreed that new measures of monitoring all accredited Branch representative’s needs to be implemented to ensure that consistent service for all members is maintained. This will come into practice once the Branch at the next meeting has approved a plan.

5.   New Branch Campaign

It was agreed that Health and Safety awareness should be adopted to start a continual series of short campaigns throughout Suffolk. A small working party was established to get the project off the ground. Those included are: Margaret Goddard, Saadia Larham, Matt Robinson, Julia Havers & Ian Talbot. It is hoped that the campaign will be ready to start in June, with subsequent campaigns continuing thereafter with flowing themes following each consecutive month.
The 1st meeting of the working party will start at 10:00 AM on April 30th in ‘The Hut’ UNISON Office at St Clements Hospital.

6.   Expenses

It is hoped that all Branch expenses forms submitted by representatives or Branch members will shortly be honoured on an end of month basis. This will help simplify the ad hoc system currently in operation.

7.   Any other business

The new publication of ‘Law At Work’ is now available. (see here) It is recommended that all active representatives should have a personal copy.

The new UNISON publicity catalogue is now out. Should anybody like a copy, please contact the Branch.

      Meeting closed at 17:00

The next Branch meeting will start at 15:00 on 9^th May 2001 @ The Lodge. Hartismere Hospital, Castleton Way. Eye