SWAG Scottish Workforce & Staff Governance Committee

Transcription

1 Scottish Workforce & Staff Governance Committee 18 January 2008 Dalian House, Glasgow Present: Apologies: In attendance: Michael Fuller (Chair), UNITE David Forbes, UNISON Mandy Robertson, UNISON Alex Killick, SGHD Patricia McNally, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Elizabeth Stow, Society of Radiographers Joyce Davison, BMA Lynn Masson, RCN Anne Thomson, RCN Mary Trivasse, GMB Andrew Patrick, RCN Pat Dawson, NHS Lothian Anne Gent, NHS Highland Hugh Sweeney, NHS Lanarkshire Jackie Mitchell, RCM George Brechin, NHS Fife David Steel, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland John Matheson, NHS Lothian Ian Reid, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Russell Pettigrew, NHS Fife Paul Martin, SGHD Frances Elliot, NHS Fife Alison Graham, NHS Lanarkshire Gordon Walker, NHS Lanarkshire Jimmy Farrelly, T & G Scotland Chris Murphy, NHS NSS Sandra-Dee Masson, UNISON Lilian Macer, UNISON Claire Brennan (SGHD) Juliette Alban-Metcalfe (Realworld Group) (For item 3) Anne Campbell (SGHD, for item 4) Joanne Gillies (SGHD, for item 5) John Davidson (SGHD, for item 6) David Cline (SGHD, for item 7) 1

2 Jenny Simons (SGHD, observing, and for item 9) SWAG 1. Item 1 Welcome, introduction and apologies 1.1. Chair welcomed attendees and passed on apologies; and advised that although those absent had valid reasons, any problems with the future dates of SWAG, which have been circulated, should be pointed out now, and substitutes should be sent to any meetings in the case of unavoidable absence, to ensure continuity of debate The chair advised that meetings were to be held in Edinburgh from this point on, due to the departmental representatives that attend each meeting. No objections were raised. 2. Item 2 Minute of meeting held on and matters arising 2.1. Some inaccuracies in the attendance list were highlighted; these were due to the wrong version of the minute being distributed in error. The list of attendees at the November meeting is attached Item 9 - Pat Dawson advised that she had expressed concerns on behalf of NHS Lothian regarding the OXSXTRA model and that she would ensure the project team were made aware of these concerns. 3. Item 3 Working Well 3.1. Juliette Alban-Metcalfe, of Realworld Group, gave a presentation on Engaging Organisations, and lead a discussion exercise to feed ideas into initial thinking around the Working Well concept There was varied discussion around the ideas proposed in the presentation, including leadership in different strata of the NHS, and the problem of media representation of the NHS on staff perception It was felt that this could begin an interesting debate on what could be a Working Well strategy or framework extending from Better Health, Better Care, that focuses on the employee experience SGHD noted that involvement prior to future discussion would be appreciated, and the Chair asked members to notify the SGU of interest in being involved. Members welcomed the possibility to drive forward staff governance, but recommended that Working Well be something tangible, not an abstract initiative. Action: Members to contact the SGU regarding creation of a group informing ideas for Working Well concept, and to advise form of group. 4. Item 4 Knowledge and Skills Framework 4.1. Anne Campbell, KSF Implementation Lead, updated on KSF and invited discussion. Central points from AC were KSF becoming part of the efficiency HEAT target, and that activation of the SWISS/e-ksf link had been delayed by at least two weeks. 2

3 4.2. SWAG members indicated that they hoped there had been consultation with the service to make sure that the efficiency HEAT target was within capabilities. AC said that boards have indicated their capacity through pay modernisation plans; and HRDs have also advised. The SGHD and Cabinet Secretary are keen to include staff governance in the targets Members were optimistic about delivering the KSF target, and appreciated this sign of a move from implementing Agenda for Change to embedding it within the service. The need for e-ksf to be mainstreamed was stressed Members pointed to the profile of KSF among staff, and argued that the inclusion of it within the targets may raise its profile only at board level. The personal development plan review will be the main point of contact for staff with KSF in the near future. AC advised that considerable work was being undertaken at Board level to ensure a refocus on KSF and that she would provide more detail on this level of activity in her report for the next meeting. Following this, it might be helpful to facilitate a meeting between SWAG and KSF Leads The list of KSF leads was referred to: this has now been circulated by SGU on Guidance that is sent from AC to CB on KSF, which reaches SWAG members through other means, could be circulated directly to SWAG, it was suggested. Action: SGU Future guidance on KSF to be distributed to SWAG membership by 4.7. It was agreed that it would be useful for AC to update future SWAG meetings. 5. Item 5 Planning Tomorrow s Workforce Today : follow-up on publication of the workforce strategy 5.1. Joanne Gillies from Workforce Planning gave a presentation on the current position of workforce planning after the publication of the strategy. JG acknowledged that this is a transitional period in terms of collecting statistical information: the workforce projection template will pull together statistics SWAG members welcomed the proposed direction of travel. The integration of workforce planning into LDP, and the link between workforce planning and financial planning, were highlighted as positive aspects The Chair noted that MMC and the consultation on the Tooke Report could be usefully added to the agenda of a future SWAG meeting. Action: SGU to include these agenda items in a future SWAG meeting if agreed by SWAG Secretariat. 3

4 6. Item 6 Update on Review of PINs John Davidson introduced himself and the project that he is undertaking. He emphasised his wish to engage with those effected by PINs, hence his linking with different parts and levels of the service. He tabled some initial proposals: o As the PINs are steeped in law, a legal team should do a piece of work to inform this part of the review: JD suggested CLO were likely to be asked to take this on. o A sense-check should be taken on how the Equality Impact Assessment may impact the reviews: PINs shouldn t be problematic here, but it will be necessary to gauge any issues that may arise in implementation of the policies. o The publishing and future-proofing of the policies should be attended to: the possibility of electronic and loose-leaved versions, and a potential re-branding and re-launch to emphasise the PINs as modern tools, were suggested. A framework to allow PINs to be constantlyupdating documents, a process for future-proofing, is a central aim of the review SWAG members were very pleased that the project is going ahead, and with these initial ideas; they made a number of points. The use of CLO was welcomed but it was agreed that a clear timeframe should be set for this work On the topic of re-branding, it was noted that PINs are familiar and it would be important not to lose recognition of the brand. JD agreed that there would be continuity between the existing PINs and their reviewed counterparts, as well as re-energised presentation It was pointed out that the messages about the review need to be coupled with reassurance to staff that the current PINs are still valid; PINs must not be perceived by staff as sidelined or lacking value The pressure on staffside representatives from members on the topic of the review was mentioned, as many union members are keen for the review to progress quickly: representatives asked about details of the timescale and process. JD and SGHD advised that they would put together a project plan to provide these details. Action: Project plan to be circulated, by SGHD and JD 6.6. On the topic of timescales, JD advised that the quick-win PINs are to be addressed first such as Dealing with Employee Concerns. Others will need dismantling and reassembling; but it is expected that the review process for PINs requiring minor changes will be completed within the 6-month timescale It was suggested that the issue of local variation from PINs in individual Boards was opened up: whether variation should be minimised, or if local 4

5 ownership is important. It was suggested that Boards could perhaps feed back the extent to which they alter PINs, and how standards are implemented. SGHD replied that there was a pragmatic agreement at the outset that Boards make local variation, but that it should be an outcome of the review that local pockets of good practice are known centrally and shared The current difficulty of web access to the PINs was generally agreed, and SWAG members asked that this is improved prior to the end of the 6-month target for the review It was asked whether hard copies of the existing PINs were available at St Andrew s House; SGHD replied that they were. 7. Item 7 Workforce implications of Better Health, Better Care (BHBC) 7.1. David Cline, National Planning Manager, gave an introduction to the BHBC Workforce Plan. He pointed out that there are over 100 specific action points in BHBC, with some of more direct relevance to staff governance than others. He noted that the structure to support the implementation of the document was as yet undecided, but that it was likely to be similar to the equivalent that supported Delivering for Health. DC asked members to feed back: 1. Which action points appear most significant from a workforce perspective; 2. which present the greatest opportunities and risks; 3. and what do members feel should be SWAG and the SPF s role in BHBC In response to point 3, some members expressed the wish that SPF be the implementation vehicle of BHBC, as has been debated by SPF office bearers. Other members suggested that SPF was not set up for this role, and that it could better operate using the opportunity to select strands of BHBC that will really influence the workforce The focus on health inequalities was welcomed, and the 18-week target and vulnerable families were highlighted as central to the document from the committee s perspective. It was suggested that the primary care workforce load will need to be addressed in order to deliver on the latter The increase in public partnership through direct elections, independent scrutiny panels, the patient s bill of rights was noted as significant in terms of workforce and BHBC In terms of workforce implications, it was suggested that there is now a move away from the primacy of debates on Agenda for Change and terms and conditions, towards other, potentially more important, aspects of the employee experience. Working Well and the centrality of KSF were cited as key to this transition. 5

6 7.6. On SWAG and SPF s priorities among the BHBC action points, it was noted that the BHBC plan and timescales are still to be finalised, so SPF cannot debate this until then; and that although there are large numbers of action points in BHBC, many are mutually inclusive and can be addressed together. 8. Item 8 Draft SWAG Workplan for Claire Brennan circulated the major streams of work that SWAG may address in 2008 and requested feedback. Action: SWAG members to feed back views, expansions and alterations to workplan, to CB, by end February. 9. Item 9 Update on AAC consultation 9.1. The paper was circulated for information; Jenny Simons noted that the consultation period ends in February, and that events would take place through February BMA noted that they were currently consulting on their response to the options It was noted that SWAG would appreciate being informed of the outcome and implications. Action: Members to respond to consultation by Item 10 AOCB The HR response to Pandemic Flu was raised. A draft contingency plan has been issued, and the issue will return to SWAG. SGHD asked that SWAG provide guidance on their reaction to the document. Action: SGU to put out a short note clarifying current situation re. Pandemic Flu; SWAG members to feed back on any issues discerned. 11. Date of Next Meeting th April, Conference Room 2, Victoria Quay, Stephen Howard Staff Governance Unit 23 January