RCN continues to support staff at NHS Direct

Published: 13 February 2012

The Royal College of Nursing is continuing to support members working in NHS Direct in England, as new ways of working are introduced.

NHS Direct has introduced new roster arrangements to cut costs as they begin moving towards the new NHS 111 services, due to be rolled out through this year and next. The RCN has warned that as many as 300 frontline staff at NHS Direct could lose their jobs.

Over 600 dismissal/re-engagement meetings are taking place with frontline staff, the majority of whom are nurses.

“Many RCN members will be asked to attend these meetings and will be asked to work patterns and rosters they cannot do. Subsequently, they may be dismissed,” said RCN Employment Relations Officer Gary Kirwan. “The RCN and other trade unions lodged a dispute last week and asked for a postponement of those meetings with staff. This was to give staff the time to get properly informed of what work is available and get advice and representation from the RCN.”

NHS Direct claim that they can offer all staff work, but there are significant equality issues that the RCN believes have not been addressed.

“NHS Direct say they will not offer any individual roster patterns for staff, which the RCN believes is a ‘reasonable adjustment’ in relation to disability under the Equality Act. There are also significant carer issues for members arising out of the changes," added Gary.

The dispute and many individual grievances have been rejected by NHS Direct.