Scottish Workforce & Staff Governance Committee Friday 9 October 2009 Conf Room C, D & E, St Andrew s House Present: In attendance: Michael Fuller UNITE (Chair) Wai-Yin Hatton (NHS Ayrshire & Arran) Claire Ronald Elizabeth Stow (Society of Radiographers) David Forbes (Unison) Sandra-Dee Masson (Unison) Mandy Robertson (Unison) John Callaghan (Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists) Gordon McKay (Unison) Jackie Mitchell Royal College of Midwives) Joyce Davidson (BMA) Ian Reid (NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde) John Boland (Unite) Ray Stewart (Chair of Employee Directors Group) Wilma Brown (Scottish Government) Shazia Ashraf (Scottish Government) Caroline Fee (Scottish Government) Jo Gillies (Scottish Government) Peter Samuel (University of Nottingham) Nic Bacon (University of Nottingham) Heather Johnstone (Minute Taker) Apologies: George Brechin, Audrey Cowie, Pat Dawson, Anne Gent, Patricia McNally, Jacqui Jones, Norman Provan, Dorothy Wright, Ingrid Clayden 1. Item 1 Welcome, Introductions and Apologies Michael welcomed Wai-Yin Hatton and Ray Stewart to their first meeting. 1
2. Item 2 Minute of Meeting held on 26 June 2009 Some small amendments were highlighted. Amendments to be made by Heather Johnstone 3. Item 3 CEL Guidance on the introduction and availability of medicines in NHS Scotland No one was at the meeting to talk to this item. However it was felt by the group that may not be the most appropriate forum to discuss this issue. Any comments to be fed back to Shazia Ashraf. Shazia Ashraf to feed back comments to Veronica Moffat 4. Item 4 Protection of Vulnerable Groups Kat Feldinger from the PVG Team gave a very informative and helpful presentation on the implementation of the PVG scheme. The PVG scheme will replace enhanced disclosures with two membership schemes, one for people working with children and one for those working with protected adults. Membership of the PVG scheme confirms that there is no known reason why an individual should not work with these client groups. Once in the scheme, membership records will be automatically updated if any new vetting information arises. If a person is considered a risk and therefore unsuitable to work with children or protected adults, or both, Disclosure Scotland will list them on one or both of the barred lists and this person will not be able to become/remain a PVG scheme member. Employers will be notified at that point. The fees for the scheme have not been determined however there may be a two tier fee structure 1 st tier for initial registration and 2 nd tier for update checks. The equivalent Scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is called the SVG scheme (Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups) and membership is mandatory. is to discuss and consider NHSScotland wide approach to the implementation of the PVG scheme. sec will discuss PVG scheme implementation and bring back to committee 2
5. Item 5 Gender based Violence Liz Curran from NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde spoke to the group about Gender based violence. A national team has been established to assist the implementation of a programme of work to improve the identification and management of issues relating to Gender-based violence. Liz stated that given the impact of gender based violence on the health and wellbeing of staff within NHSScotland it is important that it is viewed as a serious, recognisable and preventable problem like many other health and safety issues that affect the organisation. Liz proposed that a specific gender based violence policy be developed which will help to achieve this goal, and to improve the welfare of staff affected by abuse. Liz Curran to attend November sec meeting and provide clarifications and definitions of proposal as well as discussing cross-cutting issues. 6. Item 6 Advanced Nursing and NMAHP Consultant level Grade 2 papers - Advanced Practice Nursing Role: Guidance for NHS Boards (August 2009) Draft and Consultant Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHPs): Guidance for NHS Boards (August 2009) Draft were circulated to the group before the meeting. The guidance is to help develop clarity and consistency in the use of the new roles and encourage good Governance. Mike said he wished to have a consensus position on the document by the close of this year. Members to feedback comments directly to Mike Sabin. Mike will bring the revised documents back to next year. Mike s email address is Michael.Sabin@scotland.gsi.gov.uk 3
7. Item 7 Pandemic Flu Update Joanne Gillies provided an update in relation to Pandemic Flu. This included the forthcoming Guidance for Pregnant Health and Social Care workers. A wide range of guidance and information is available for NHSScotland and the general public on the Scottish Government Website. There is a central Pandemic Flu team based in the Scottish Government. They are the central point of contact for Scotland. There were some queries raised regarding the testing of the vaccine, and whether further information on this could be made available. 8. Item 8 NHS Scotland National Uniform Jo Gillies and Alan Milbourne updated the group on the National Uniform. The Cabinet Secretary will launch the new uniform on 9 December in Glasgow. There will be a communication drive for Staff and the public to inform them of the changes. The uniforms agreed to date were presented to the group. In addition, agreed the recommendation for the fifth Aquamarine blue for Healthcare Scientists, Pharmacy Technicians and DCPs, including clinical dental technicians, dental tecnicians, hygienists, orthodontic therapists and therapists. This was agreed with the proviso that the quality of the fabric was of an acceptable standard and, if at all possible, this was the NHSScotland fabric. The group felt that quality is paramount and felt uncomfortable that a staff group would be wearing a uniform where the quality of the fabric could be questioned. Employee Experience team to discuss material quality with manufacturers, and to discuss cost and quality further with Michael Fuller and David Forbes. 4
9. Item 9 PIN review update The PIN reviews are well under way and the revised Dignity at Work PIN and the Voicing Concerns PIN will be coming to sec in November. 10. Item 10 Dignity at Work A Toolkit is currently under development and will be launched for Boards to implement at the end of the year. 11. Item 11 Any Other Business There was no other business Heather Johnstone Scottish Government Health Directorates Monday 12 October 2009 5