POA The Professional Trades Union for Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers

Headquarters: Cronin House 245 Church Street Edmonton London N9 9HW

0 020 8803 0255 0 020 8803 1761 @ www.poauk.org.uk @ generaIt2poauk.0rg.uk

National Chairman: Colin Moses General Secretarv: Brian Caton

POA Circular 1 0 6 / m

England/Wales England/Wales Scotland Scotland

14th August 2007

Dear Colleagues

NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR SECURE HEALTH CARE SERVICES MINUTES - 22ND JANUARY 2007 AND 2ND MAY 2007

Please find attached copies of the above agreed minutes in accordance with Conference policy.

Yours sincerely

BRIAN CATON General Secretary

ENCLOSURE

Regional Offices: North: 1 Linden House Sardinia Street Leeds LSlO 1BH Northern Ireland: Castell House 116 Ballywalter Road Millisle Co. Down BT22 2HS

Scotland: Scottish National Office 21 Calder Road Edinburgh Scotland EH l l 3PF

MINUTIES OF THE QUARTERLY MEET5NG OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR SECURE HEALTH CARE SERVICES HELD BY VIDEO

LINK BETWEEN LINDEN HOUSE AND CRONIN HOUSE ON MONDAY 22ND JANUARY 2007

PRESENT:

LINDEN HOUSE: CRONIN HOUSE: Steve Oxby Rampton Giannina Maina Broadmoor Nick Cardy Rampton Stuart Eales Ashworth Ronnie Cromwell Carstairs Stuart Shiels Carstairs

1. APOLOGIES:

Steve Bostock NEC Chris McIndoe Ashworth Trevor Smith Broadmoor

Brian Caton and Steve Gillan had to leave to attend another meeting.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - 26TB OCTOBER 2006:

Item 3: Operational Support Grade Attributed to Ashworth not Broadmoor. "When the OSG grade was formed they were transferred from nursing grades to Admin and Clerical grades and should have enjoyed a reduction in their hours from 37.5 to 37. That never happened so now we are in dispute and Merseycare owe the OSG's 1/2 hour overtime a week since March 2002. Negotiations are ongoing and strong."

Item 6: Special Hospital Lead Pay and Allowances Ashworth - paper added to the notes. These were circulated at the last meeting.

Item 10: Position at Each Hospital Broadmoor correction - new Learning & Development Centre.

Accurate minutes - Rarnpton proposed, Broadmoor seconded.

3. MATTERS ARISING:

Brian Caton has written again to Rosie Winterton over the future of Secure Mental Health and also requesting a meeting. No response - continuing to try to get her to meet again and will write again.

Steve Oxby has left messages - no visit as of yet. Need to co-ordinate dates with Brian Caton or Steve Gillan.

I tem 5: HEALTH CARE & SPECIALS MEETINGS:

It was agreed that these should remain separate. This was also the view of Tom Robson.

Item 6: SPECIAL LEAD PAY ALLOWANCE:

Rarnpton reported that negotiations are still ongoing. Management are still adamant on introducing change that was tabled previously.

Reducing the allowance for new starters, so will bring paper back.

Foundation Trust: Stuart Eales has heard rumours there will be an announcement this week.

ACTION: AIl Lead Pay Agreements to go to Leeds Office.

ROLES IN NHS:

Brian Caton going to speak to the Brendan Barber, General Secretary at the TUC. The seat for the NHS is still being pursued.

Steve Oxby reported the merging of eight trade unions (NHS together) why is there no POA involvement? Concerns were raised regarding this.

Brian Caton said he would speak to Brendan Barber tomorrow regarding the non involvement of affiliate unions.

ACTION: Brian Caton to speak to Brendan Barber, General Secretary, TUC.

Item 8 - PAY PROTECTION:

BROADMOOR This document is to be circulated once published.

ASHWORTH Ashworth met last week to review the matter.

RAMPTON Rampton have a policy from three years ago. Two years service - lifetime protection.

This has not been changed or reviewed.

Stuart Eales raised the Annual Report.

Stuart Eales raised the following with regards to Annual Conference Motions:

a) Debate introduction of Community Treatment Orders under the Mental Health Act.

b) Lobby - Foundation Trust - to come out. c) POA affiliate to movement to keep our NHS public together. d) , Debate a Full Time Officer for Private Sector and Special Hospitals e) Uniforms

Broadmoor: a) Embracing modernisation in the NHS

Carstairs: Still debating

Ramp ton: a) Foundation Trust b) DSPD (debate) c) Cost improvements - Pay Modernisation (debate)

5. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

Both Ashworth and Rampton were against a theme, think it should be more integrated AGM. Report back then health care section.

AGM in the morning of Conference, 9.30am.

Guest speakers were raised - 10 minute speech.

Leader of the NHS Together. NHS public NHS reform - Keeping the NHS public - Speaker?

ACTION: Giannina Maina to 5 d out name hvited guests - letters to go out

It was suggested that a fringe meeting take place with a "Q & A's section".

ACTION: Brian Caton to put this to the Conference Committee. Ask Steve Gillan to lay on refreshments Ask National Chairman to chair it.

Lunch to be booked.

It was suggested that a pre AGM meeting took place on the Tuesday at the close of Conference.

Foreword for AGM.

It was agreed that all branches should send comments to Brian Caton iden-g issues that have arisen between January 2006 and December 2006.

6. CLINICAL SERVICE MODEL - BROADMOOR:

This issue has now been resolved.

Brian Caton to meet with Dr Petch.

ACTION: Giannina Maina to get a copy of the document.

7. AGENDA FOR CHANGE:

ASHWORTH

Stuart Eales reported that reviews were still ongoing, 50% successful.

BROADMOOR

Reviews are completed.

CARSTAIRS

Nothing to report. Latest update. Banding results - disaster R&B Maintenance grades - Band 3 - initially Band 1 then after review Band 3.

Brian Caton - look at differences in banding as to where included leads in one and not in another.

Ashworth felt this would be difficult to do.

Recruitment and retention issues were debated.

Carstairs

Security staff at reception - Band 2 with pay protection. Review - got band 3, no pay protection now.

Same as last time.

Rumor that Directorate, General Managers 8b re-wrote job description - 8c now.

8. CURRENT POSITION AT EACH HOSPITAL:

Charles Flynn retired Foundation Trust - ongoing Learning Centre - doing well Redundancy - jobs at risk. Trylng to avoid and protect jobs Uniform allowance Received sick absence policy - should reflect the job

Broadmoor

Current situation BC meeting CEO Unison convener causing problems Vocational senrice POA at Broadmoor strong. Unison and Amicus never got foothold.

Concerns around Foundation Trust status.

Carst airs

Good relationships Joint Committee Savings being made No further diluted skill mix No change of shifts or will be disputed Personnel attack alarms at a cost of %lm by August Nursing budget exceeded due to overtime Bullying - staff back to work through sick absence policy Disciplinary action being used as sickness policy

Rampton

Foundation trust awaiting a decision from DHS.

No smoking from 1' April 2007 for staff and patients. Will be problems at night with no breaks.

Cost improvement and i n _ c r e m e ~ ~ ckii - to find S8m 3.5 years just from forensic directorate.

New women's build will open within six weeks. Sole provider.

PD closing one ward -jobs to be found.

To find jobs for all those dispersed. New opening provide jobs.

Four disciplinary cases. Police investigations on one case not to take any further action.

2 x NHS k a u d Agency - working whilst on sick.

1 x further Police investigation.

9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Thursday 26th April 2007

MINUTES OF THE QUARTERLY MEETPPVG OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR SECURE HEALTH CARE SERVICES HELD

BY VIDEO LINK BETWEEN LINDEN HOUSE AND CRONIN HOUSE ON WEDNESDAY 2ND MAY 2007 AT 9.40 AM

PRESENT:

LINDEN HOUSE: CRONIN HOUSE: Brian Caton Secretary Steve Bostock Chair Steve Oxby Rampton Giannina Maina Broadmoor Ronnie Cromwell Carstairs Stuart Shiels Carstairs Helen Whitaker (Note taker)

1. APOLOGIES: Steve Gillan Association Business Stuart Eales Ashworth Paul Gilbert Ashworth Nick Cardy Rarnpton CMs Chittock Carstairs

2 . MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:

Minutes of previous meeting held on ~ 2 " ~ January were agreed as a true record subject to alterations being made as discussed.

3. MATTERS ARISPPVG:

Item 6: Lead Pay Agreements Lead pay agreements to be sent to NRO, not received all of them yet.

Roles in NHS: The Secretary reported that a letter has been sent to Brendan Barber but no reply has been received as yet.

The Chair reported on discussions in Brussels with UNISON reps. They said we wouldn't be able to get a seat on the NHS Staff Council because we represent prison officers. We informed them of our new title "The Professional Trades Union for Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers", they thought this would make a difference and will support us.

A committee member suggested letting the committee know the names of the contacts then local reps at each hospital can forward letters of support.

Item 5: Annual General Meeting: The Secretary reported that he had invited guests but everyone is busy as it was too short notice so we don't have a speaker this year, need to get invites out to speakers earlier, decide on speakers at October meeting or even earlier.

It was suggested that we invite John Boyington to speak at next years conference.

ACTION: Agenda for next meeting in Julp - Draw up a list of speakers for 2008.

The Secretary reported back regarding a fringe meeting. Again it was too short notice to arrange, we need to discuss this earlier and get organised better.

ACTION: Agenda for next meeting in July. Discuss a Mnge meeting for 2008.

Clinical Sexvice Model - Broadmoor: The delegate from Broadmoor stated that she is still waiting for a copy of the document.

The Secretary raised the fraud investigations at Broadmoor where eight members have been suspended, which includes five POA committee members.

The delegate from Broadmoor stated that she needs some support to represent the members for internal disputes as she is running the branch on her own.

This was discussed by the Committee.

4. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

The S e c r e t q referred to paperwork attached to the agenda. A number of guests have declined our invitation to attend. We have received two letters this week accepting our invitation from Mike Harris, Rampton and Kelvin Cheatle and Simon Crawford, Broadmoor.

ACTION: Send out letters confirming arrangements and invite to lunch.

As discussed earlier we have had difficulty in securing a speaker.

The Secretary went through the AGM booklet with the Committee for any cornmen ts or additions.

ACTION: Sort out tickets for evening entertainment for Kelvin Chea tl e and Simon Crawford. Invite Dave and Ruth Preece to NCSHCS lunch.

The Chair asked the Committee if they have any amendments or additions for the Special Hospitals section of the POA diary.

A member stated that some things will need to be reviewed and updated for 2009.

ACTION: Amendments -Front page, add POA office contact numbers. Add: "If any information you require is not covered in this section please contact local POA officials using the contact numbers contained at the front of this section".

6. FOUNDATION TRUST:

The Chairman referred to paperwork fi-om Stuart Eales.

A delegate from Broadmoor informed the Committee that last week she was told that the three Chief Executives from each hospital were putting together a paper. This was confirmed by a delegate fi-om Rampton. Decision in next couple of weeks.

The Chairman stated that this doesn't affect Carstairs.

7. AGENDA FOR CHANGE:

CARSTAIRS AFC is a nightmare! Staff still not assimilated Paperwork circulated to Committee Withdrawn from AFC for now, still in partnership working

RAMPTON Security department (includes reception area and control room - staff came out at Band 2 (70 people) which they are not happy with as same area in Broadmoor is Band 3 Don't feel process was followed properly, need to go through again (job descriptions/matching etc) Appeals - if not positive will be registering grievance

BROADMOOR AFC finished! Giannina Maina sat on last panel yesterday for review All appeals done KSF running smoothly, no problems

-0 80% of staff content with outcomes Review for adrnin and clerical (pay protection) working in partnership

Brief discussion by Cnm-mittee.

8. CURRENT POSITION AT EACH HOSPITAL:

RAMPTON End of March implemented no smoking for staff and patients throughout the Trust and the grounds, still early but gone far better than expected. Not had serious incidents as expected. Still had some patients getting lights from somewhere. A number of investigations going on - serious breach of email policy. 100 seen e-mail, 35 seen and forwarded. 35 received final written warning, 18 are our members. NHS fraud agency - investigations. Women's Service - investigations. PD ward now closed - 20 staff on that ward been found alternative placements, all at Rampton. Women's Service - Race Equality Board going to come in to look at complaints raised by members. Women's build been open 3/4 months now, staffing levels dire, struggling to man wards. Liz Oxby has got her sick pension through, will not be attending this meeting anymore.

The Chairman asked Steve to pass on our best wishes to Liz on behalf of the Committee.

The Committee discussed the smoking ban.

CARSTAIRS Relations lower than they have been for 10/ 12 years Cost savings issue - membership 100% rejected E-mail regarding advertisement for jobs D Grade bank nurses dispute Hospital redevelopment, downsizing staff, work due to start in October but need to install new PA system first 240 patients at present, will be 140 High demand for overtime, budget stretched Sickness and absence management - should be 4%, running at 5.75%

The Committee have asked the Carstairs delegates to raise a problem with this meeting being altered at short notice, need at least 2 weeks notice for booking hotels etc.

Also 3 points for consideration of the Committee as video link is not suited for this type of meeting.

All meetings take place at Linden House.

SiclII hold 3 quarteriy meetings at Linden House on video link but hold an annual meeting perhaps prior to Conference with all attending in Leeds. Alternatively hold 3 quarterly meetings on video link but hold an annual meeting again perhaps prior to Conference with all attending at Cronin House, Calder Road or Linden House.

The Chairman apologised on behalf of the NEC for cancelling this meeting. A special NEC meeting was called at short notice and all NEC were instructed to attend and cancel all meetings.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and for making alternative arrangements to be here at short notice.

BROADMOOR Adminreview Green travel plan launched yesterday. Staff will not get a permit for site if they live close. Shuttle bus provided by Trust. Ten spaces taken away from car park for bike shed. 210 per month for a permit if you can find a space! Nursing shift review just started "Fair blame" panel - pilot implemented trust wide. Staff have accepted this. A manager and a staff side member (not from same trade union) sit on the panel to discipline people.

A delegated raised concerns regarding staff side sitting on the panel as he doesn't agree with this.

Redevelopment/modernisation - looking at selling some land off. Giannina is sitting on Redevelopment Project Board, would appreciate any information from Steve Oxby. Bradford Score - tool used to reduce sickness and absence. Piloted it for 6 months within various parts of the Trust. 344 staff involved including our members, 3 complaints received. Pilot finished, now Trust wide.

Cormnittee advised Broadmoor delegate to be carehl and keep an eye on Bradford formula as this has been a problem within the Prison Service for many years.

Vocational services - decision imminent as part of clinical service model. Will be told what decision is next week. Some members have 2 years to retirement, if package is right will go, natural wastage. Redeployment difficult, possible redundancies. Really bad industrial relations (staff side) with UNISON and AMICUS, bullying and intimidation taking place towards Giannina. GM put up for convenor again, elections close tomorrow, don't want a POA chair again for staff side.

The C h m m stated thzt he is ~ i w a e of problexs with other unions m d will meet with Kelvin Cheatle to discuss.

The Secretary stated he would raise this matter with the TUC regarding the problems with UNISON at Broadmoor.

The Chairman asked if there was any other business.

A delegate from Rarnpton raised the staged pay award, other trade unions are balloting members on acceptance/rejection. Should we be doing something similar? Major trade unions have rejected, want it paid in h l l from lst April or will take industrial action.

This was discussed by Committee.

ACTION: Discuss action on pay award with Steve Gillan and Brian Caton, would have to be put on NEC table as wetl.

A delegate from Rarnpton raised the issue of the Humber Centre.

ACTION: Look at a date for SB/SG/BC to visit Humber Centre.

9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Thursday 26th July 2007

The Chainnan thanked everyone for attending and the meeting closed at 12.45 pm.

SIGNED:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DATE: BRIAN CATON - SECRETARY