RCN Scotland comments on announcement that NHS employers to pay PVG membership fee for staff

Published: 21 December 2012

Commenting on the announcement today by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Alex Neil MSP that, as a gesture of goodwill, NHS employers in Scotland will pay staff’s membership fee for the new Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG), RCN Scotland Associate Director for Employment Relations Norman Provan, said:

“The RCN and other trade unions have been negotiating for some considerable time with NHS employers and Government over who should pick up the cost of PVG registration within NHS Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary’s announcement in Parliament today that NHS employers will now pick up the full cost of £59 for all staff is welcome, particularly at this time of year. 

“Those working in the NHS with vulnerable groups have no choice but to register for PVG, so it only seems fair that employers pay for staff to be able to do their job and protect the most vulnerable in our society at the same time. And this is not new - paying the registration fee for PVG for all staff brings NHS employers back into line with previous practice, where they paid the cost of the scheme which preceded PVG. 

“We’re delighted that the Cabinet Secretary has therefore taken a pragmatic approach to this issue and has listened to the views of trade unions and hard working NHS staff.”

ENDS

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Notes to editors

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the world’s largest professional organisation and trade union for nursing staff, with members in the NHS, independent and voluntary sectors. RCN Scotland promotes patient and nursing interests by campaigning on issues that affect our members, shaping national health policies, representing members on practice and employment issues and providing members with learning and development opportunities.  With around 39,000 members in Scotland, we are the voice of nursing.