North West Hertfordshire Health Authority Bank Nursing Employment Scheme

EDM number 1116 in 1989-90, proposed by DN Campbell-Savours on 14/06/1990.

That this House deplores the attempt by North West Hertfordshire Health Authority to force cuts in patient care staffing by unilaterally introducing the Bank Nurse Employment Scheme (BNES); recognises that the replacement of overtime with BNES is designed to cut ú1/2 million per year from the authority's wages bill, by reducing by an average of ú80 to ú100 per month the earnings of staff completing exactly the same work; notes that this will, inevitably, cause further serious difficulties for staff dependent on overtime payments to meet high mortgage and rent costs in the area; further notes that bank nursing staff will not be entitled to holiday, sick or pension payments and will be subject to the absolute discretion of service managers to determine who is allowed to work, for how long, where and in what capacity; clearly recognises that BNES as it stands is in contravention of, and an attempt to undermine, the National Whitely Council Agreement on overtime pay; notes that an overwhelming 92 per cent. of balloted staff, who felt forced to join have now, almost entirely, resigned from the scheme; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health to ensure that North West Hertfordshire Health Authority abides by the terms of the nationally agreed disputes procedure and immediately withdraws BNES, which has proved so disastrous for staff relations and which so seriously threatens patient care.

This motion has been signed by a total of 7 MPs.