CSR Flyer Belfast Trust
Published: 21 October 2009
Working for you: information for RCN members working in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Comprehensive Spending Review
• The RCN responded to the BHSCT modernisation proposals to highlight concerns about the impact on nursing and patient care. Our response is available from Michael McQuillan or Fiona Carroll (see below) or at www.rcn.org.uk/northernireland.
• We are continuing to monitor the impact of these plans and highlight members' concerns.
• We recently met the BHSCT Chief Executive and other directors to discuss the need for support for ward managers, the impact of efficiency savings on nursing posts, nurses' workload, and issues related to Agenda for Change.
• The RCN emphasised to trust managers the importance of the role of the Director of Nursing within the trust, in particular the director of nursing role in the decision making processes as they relate to the nursing workforce. We also emphasised that all issues relating to the nursing workforce must be addressed within existing partnership arrangements.
• The RCN wishes to work in partnership with the BHSCT to develop modernisation proposals. Where the RCN does not agree with specific proposals, it will formally record its disagreement.
Financial deficit
• The implications for nursing of BHSCT's financial deficit (around £25 million) are of major concern to the RCN
• Measures taken to control expenditure - such as controls on bank, agency and paid overtime working - will impact significantly on nurses' already demanding workload
• The RCN urges members to raise concerns with their line manager when it is clear that patient care is being affected and to contact your local RCN steward if these concerns are not addressed
• The RCN has not yet seen the BHSCT formal financial recovery proposals and refuses to comment on speculation
• Once we have seen the proposals, we will work with BHSCT on behalf of RCN members to protect front-line services and defend nursing posts
• Please let Michael McQuillan or Fiona Carroll know if you need more information or if you have any further issues related to the modernisation process that you would like the RCN to address.
Your RCN contacts at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust:
RCN Trade Union Secretary:
Michael McQuillan: michael.mcquillan@belfasttrust.hscni.net
RCN seconded stewards:
William McCormick: william.mccormick@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Joe McCambridge: joe.mccambridge@belfasttrust.hscni.net
RCN Employment Relations Officer
Fiona Carroll: fiona.carroll@rcn.org.uk
October 2009