Minister: Collaboration in Health Service better than competition

by John Gallacher

Nicola Sturgeon MSP became a regular feature at UNISON’s 2009 Health Conferences. At both UNISON’s Scottish and the UK Health Conferences she made significant contributions.

At the Scottish Health Conference in Glasgow’s Royal Concert hall, the Cabinet Secretary’s main themes promoted the collaborative and integrated Health model in NHS Scotland as better than the English model of choice and competition; the SNP concept of a ‘mutual’ NHS co-owned by patients and staff; partnership working as a successful model of employee relations; and the 2009 Staff Survey and the new Workforce Strategy for NHS Scotland.

Delegates took the opportunity to quiz her extensively and she answered questions on the private waiting time unit in Stracathro; the review of Nursing in the Community; UNISON’s ‘Food For Good’ Charter; Partnership in Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s community health and social care partnerships; public funding of the NHS in the credit crisis; and the Knowledge and Skills Framework.

On to Harrogate

Nicola carried her theme of the Scottish model of NHS on to the UK Health Conference at Harrogate. Here there was a ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ show, with three health ministers addressing conference - Alan Johnson (England) and Michael McGimpsey (Northern Ireland) as well as the Scottish Cabinet Secretary.

The 2009 Conference demonstrated how seriously the Health Sector takes UNISON’S devolution model and how strength can be drawn from different experiences across the UK.

Lilian Macer, Chair of the UK Health Group said: “It was a fantastic display of how UNISON, as a UK union, has embraced the differences within each of the devolved administrations. Recognising that our diversity makes us stronger.”

Pay Review Body stays

The major debate of the week at Harrogate was on the retention of the Pay Review Body as the mechanism for determining pay rises in the NHS, with superb contributions in debate from Gordon Mackay (Ayrshire & Arran) and Mick McGahey (Lothian).

Scotland argued the time had come to return to free collective bargaining but a card vote confirmed retention of the PRB system.

A hugely successful ‘Celtic’ Social Event was held in association with Wales and Northern Ireland starring the east coast band ‘ Rantum Scantum’. £1200 was raised towards the Scottish Health Committee’s appeal to raise £2500 for Medical Aid to Cuba.

The Scottish Health Committee has now been involved in four significant events in a row; · the Branch Weekend School · the Scottish, and UK Conferences and · the May Four Nations Policy Seminar.

Tam Waterson Chair of the Scottish Health Committee said: “It’s been a good four-in-a-row and in Health we aspire to take UNISON to the next level of organisation and engagement with our membership throughout NHS Scotland.”

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