Tuesday 17 August at 2pm,
Small Meeting Room, Suffolk House

      Present:  Paul Taylor, Ray Hill, Steve Cook, Barbara Gutowski, Arthur White, Judith Wilson, Julie Harrison, Philip Bloyce (Chair), Ian Talbot and Annette Petty (Minutes)

Apologies:  Cliff Dawson, Gordon Morris, Julie Cracknell and Margarita England

1.  Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting held on 13 July 2004 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

2.  Matters Arising

a)   Page 1.2a - Received nomination for Mark Hillis. Checks on nominations to confirm membership is waiting. To be ratified once in attendance of a branch meeting.                                                                                                                                                   Action - Ian Talbot

b)   Page 1.2d - Ray passed around copies of his written report on the Health Care Service Group Annual Conference which took place 26-28 April in Glasgow. Annette to circulate a copy of the report to the H&S Representatives.                                                    Action - Annette Petty

c)   Page 1.2e - The suspension has been lifted following the meeting by the independent branch panel on 13 August in respect of a former steward being temporarily suspended for ratification. Annette to write to the steward concerned.                                  Action - Annette Petty

d)   Page 1.2.f - Ian will write again to Julie Todd at Hartismere regarding the situation there and on Foundation Hospitals (unfortunately omitted) Agreed to invite Julie to attend the Branch Meetings.                                                                              Action - Ian Talbot

e)   Page 2.3.c - A cheque together with an accompanying letter has been sent off to the member training to be an Occupational Therapist. The member wished to thank the branch for the support which was very much appreciated.

f)   Page 2.3.d - Katrina McGill who works at Waveney PCT has joined the current AfC representatives as a panel member. In general there is a total lack of interest. Julie Harrison, Branch Steward at Suffolk PSU is also applying to join the panel in September.

g)   Page 3.4.b - Annette has adapted the standard membership letter which goes with the joining application information and the welcome to the branch letter respectively with the Legal Assistance 13 week rule clause. This has now been implemented and on the www.suffolkhealthcare.com website. In general membership is rising steadily with 25 new joiners in July and 16 to date for August. Total membership is 2043 members for Suffolk Healthcare Branch.

3.   Steward/Officer Reports

a)  Arthur White - Patrick Stead Hospital
Arthur reported that the hospital has closed all 21 beds whilst the decorators are working. He met with the Waveney Chief Executive and it is hoped Patrick Stead hospital will re-open in September and has since seen the proposals by the Service Manager. In the mean time, Staff had been evacuated to other sites whilst the works are being carried out. It was felt that once again, staff had not been notified in time and communication has been “extremely poor” all round especially as the same situation had occurred at Livingstone Ashford Unit at Beccles Hospital just a few months previously. Arthur will be attending the Joint Staff Forum on 23 August.

b)   Paul Taylor - Walker Close
In general things are quiet at Walker Close although there are still the financial problems concerning overspend. Sam Gillings-Taylor has been approached with proposals on how to save money. Learning Disabilities has 58% of SMHP Trust total overspend at present.

c)   Judith Wilson - Sudbury CMHT
Judith has now had the situation resolved regarding an E-mail/internet issue at work. However she has not received any formal apology from the IT Helpdesk to date. In general it was felt that there is an annoyance of spam mail in general and there is a lack of knowledge to help staff sort out these E-mail problems. The Risk Assessment Team now having investigated the matter/disciplinary action has been taken towards the IT individual. Philip will take the issues to the Management Steering Group on 28th September.
Please note that Judith has a new E-mail address: judith.s.wilson@smhp.nhs.uk which hopefully should alleviate the problem. Action - Philip Bloyce

d)   Ray Hill - Bartlet Hospital, Felixstowe
Ray reported that he is attending weekly meetings from 1pm in respect of a “Fresher Felixstowe”. There are decorating works being carried out at the General at present and 2 wards have been closed until the work is completed hopefully by 1 October. Suffolk Coastal PCT is offering staff paid petrol to work at Hartismere (Central PCT) whilst the works are taking place.

e)   Steve Cook - SCH
Steve reported that a PCT Manager is currently going through the disciplinary procedure alleged by a previous manager/manager whom he has represented. He is attending a meeting on 9 September with the two managers in question. Steve is also dealing with another ongoing grievance and the situation on forensic lead payments which is being dealt with next week. Steve is concerned about the current mandatory training for staff and is contacting Margaret Little regarding the current situation. Training is not being provided and it should be recorded as thus. Who is responsible if an accident occurs during training? If an untrained member gets into a difficult situation, they may become personally liable. Ian to write to Risk Management regarding members who are “out of date” for training and ask for advice not to participate until they have gained advice from UNISON and this also applies to First Aiders. Will the Trust accept responsibility? Ian to report back at the September meeting (21st) when a decision will be made to advise members for further action. Paul Taylor will also to contact Darren Clarke in Learning Disabilities with regard to staff in/out danger.
Action - Ian Talbot/Steve Cook/Paul Taylor

f)    Julie Harrison - Suffolk PSU
Julie reported that there is no Health & Safety Representative for Suffolk PSU.                                                                                 Ian will send over advertising posters and around St Clements Hospital site.
Action - Ian Talbot

g)   Barbara Gutowski - Social Care
Barbara reported that staff, seem more than perturbed regarding the scales shown in the latest July 04 AfC booklets. Philip explained that staff being offered the package at this stage should hold on to their TUPE rights. Philip will arrange to speak to Barbara and members at Whitehouse Road at the end of September - date to be arranged.
Action - Philip Bloyce

h)   Philip Bloyce
Philip updated the meeting on the latest AfC developments. One of the main concerns regarding AfC is the “sleep-in” and “unsocial hours” conditions of pay which is a problem for night staff and week-end workers. Whitley criteria is used for these staff and paid at time x 1/3 under AfC/Whitley. The Terms and Conditions negotiating working group is dealing with a number of these issues under AfC. Local bargaining is another issue in respect of unsocial hours which end at 7am. Under AfC 7pm to 7am is clearly set out on working hours and this is the national deal. However AfC is governed by the members on winning/losing.

4.  Correspondence

a)   Regional Health Committee - Special Meeting
This meeting will now take place on 1 September at the NUT HQ, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London. Paul Marks, National Lead on AfC has been invited to attend. Ray Hill will be attending from the Branch.

b)   Unison Health Care Service Group Conference - AfC
This one day conference will take place on 7th October at Earls Court, London, which Ray has agreed to attend.

c)   Health & Safety Seminar - Friday 1 and Saturday 2 October in Cambridge
Unfortunately, no delegates are attending from the Branch. Annette to E-mail Region.                                                               Action - Annette Petty

d)   Recruitment Initiatives for October 2004 Campaign
Ian met with Cheryl Godber, Regional Organiser on 2 August and he has received a plan around a number of initiatives. Ian to consult with Branch Officers and representatives about the contents of the plan and agree which can be organised and seen through. Cheryl has received confirmation from Region that for October, “recruitment initiatives”, branches can put bids in for money to the regional pool. Cheryl included a copy of a “Member to non-member” recruitment flyer/poster for the branch which Ian has amended and will be sent out with the application packs as well as advertising Countywide. Recruitment Road-shows for September/October, Branch Surgeries, and Induction/Recruitment events are already organised and in place. Ian to meet with Cheryl on 13 September at 10 am to discuss further the Branch Recruitment Plan.                                                                      Action - Ian Talbot

e)   Training/Education - Winning in the Organised Workplace
A two day in-house training course has been arranged on WOW which will take place at the Bury Regional Training Suite, St Edmunds House, Lower Baxter Street, Bury St Edmunds on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 September from 9.30am to 5pm facilitated by Cheryl Godber, Regional Organiser. Full details will be sent out this week by E-mail/post by Ian Talbot/Annette Petty. It is important that all reps should attend and will be asked for a valid reason if unable (i.e. A/L, Sickness, ect). The course aims are to include finding out what organising is, developing skills as an organiser, re-discovering the fun in, and more importantly feel positive about being involved in UNISON. “Have you ever been asked to join a Union” will be part of the course. Those reps confirmed so far  Judith Wilson, Arthur White, Steve Cook, Barbara Gutowski and Julie Harrison. Ray Hill and Paul Taylor will both be on A/L. In addition Cheryl can organise TUC in-house courses for reps on “employment rights at work and TUPE issues”.         Action - Ian Talbot

A Health & Safety Training Day has been organised for Monday 11 October at the Assessment Centre Meeting Room, Airey Close, Lothingland, from 10am to 4.30pm facilitated by Ian Talbot. Annette has sent E-mail to the reps with details of the day and has received confirmation from Glyn Reynolds, Theresa Stone, Paul Taylor, Judith Wilson, Barbara Gutowski and Ray Hill to date.             A reminder will be sent out in due course by E-mail/post.                                                                                                             Action - Annette Petty

5.   AOB

a)   Branch Surgeries
Branch Surgeries have been arranged at St Clements Hospital, Hartismere Hospital, Felixstowe General and Newmarket Hospital, for members to attend and be able to speak to their elected representative with the Regional Organiser (in advisory capacity) with any concerns they have. Ian/Annette will distribute posters around the sites in due course.                                                      Action - Ian Talbot and Annette Petty

b)   Out in UNISON
Ian reported to the meeting that the Lesbian/Gay publication which is sent to the Branch on a quarterly basis for members is supposed to reflect the “Unity of togetherness as one Union and equal opportunities to everyone”. He has received comments that this publication discriminates against those who are Lesbian/Gay. The meeting felt that this was an issue to be addressed by the Regional Committee and it was agreed that Region should take up this issue after the January 2005 branch committee meeting with the intention to take a motion to Conference next year.                                                                                                       Action - Ian Talbot

c)   AfC - July Booklet - Latest information
Annette has a supply of these booklets in the hut and has been distributing them Countywide. There is also a supply of case forms for members to complete if they have a problem at work. If anyone needs further copies please contact Annette by E-mail pettyad@btconnect.com or 01473 329009

Date/Time Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 21 September at 2pm, Monet Room, St Clements Hospital Site - following on from         in-house Training, “Advice on member employment issues” to take place in the Board Room, Suffolk House, 9.30am to 1pm    (Lunch provided from 12.15pm)

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 15:45 pm

Any agenda items to be forwarded to Annette a week prior to the meeting.                                                                                Dates and times for all 2004 meetings can be found here