|
|
UNISON Occupational Therapists' Meeting
27th November 2003
Conference Room, Shrubhill
Present
Kirsten Hey, Tracey Banner, Julia Pendreigh, Lindsay Munro, Liz
Gould, Jackie Paterson, Margaret Whitehead, Liz Gilmour, Loraine
Furness, Frances Macnamara, Kath Motion, Jill Wallis, Jacq Moore,
Linda Wall, Luannah Fairgrieve, Fiona Markie, Joanne Boyle, Alison
Anderson, Heather McSharry, Maureen Grove, Paddy Corscadden, Dougal
Lamont, Lynne Fell, Marian Barry, Fiona Brownlee, Maureen Clapton,
Sheila Wallace, Shona Jackson
Apologies
Linda Bertram, Andrina Palmer, Helen Ryan, Heather Mitchell,
Lindsay McLeod, Margaret Baxendine, Gill Robertson, Anne Butler,
Elaine McGill
Minutes of Previous Meeting
These were agreed as a correct record.
Health Professions Council Registration
- Kirsten advised the meeting that COT/HPC/SSSC have confirmed
that occupational therapists are only required to register with
HPC and do not have to register with the Scottish Social Services
Council.
- The meeting discussed the problems OTs have had with HPC -
many OTs have sent their paperwork and payment in good time
but HPC say it has not been received and OTs are at risk of
being deregistered. The register can be checked on the HPC website.
- The meeting was advised that registration fees are tax deductible
and OTs should notify the Inland Revenue that they wish to claim
this deduction. Also, the proportion of BAOT membership fees
which is paid to COT (50% of the fee) is tax deductible, and
NHS staff who wear uniform may be able to claim £18pa essential
footwear allowance.
Retention and Remuneration Report
- The meeting noted that not all OTs have yet seen the final
draft of the report which is to go to the Council on December
2nd.
- OTs feel that the document is poor, and that OTs are just
an "add on"
- OTs feel that the document demonstrates the Department's lack
of understanding of the OT role and responsibilities
- Paediatric OTs are outside the practice team system - need
clarification whether this report would apply to them
- Report does not offer parity with social workers in terms
of student training allowance - this is unacceptable. The meeting
discussed whether OTs should withdraw en masse from fieldwork
education - at this stage some would like to withdraw and some
would not
- One PTM is raising the discrepancies with management - OTs
in other practice teams to ask their PTMs to do the same
- The report offers the possibility of an additional payment
once the MSc is completed - staff would like financial and time
support to do the MSc
- OTs feel the report offers no incentive for non-practicing
staff to return to work and does not recognise the shortage
of OTs and support staff - feel that work needs to be done re:
specific needs of OTs
- CCAs can do OT support work but their training is not accredited
or standardised
- UNISON needs to push for upgrading of senior staff - senior
OTs in Falkirk are paid comparably to PTMs in Edinburgh
Recruitment of Stewards
- Kirsten advised the meeting that she was elected to represent
Victoria Street members, and has no specific remit to represent
all OTs. She advised the meeting that her steward workload,
which includes Joint Future, is onerous and that additional
OT stewards are required to ensure OTs get the representation
they need and deserve
Car Allowances
- Kirsten advised the meeting that the acting Director had been
adamant that the Department would not reinstate essential car
users' allowance, but that UNISON continued to pursue it.
- OTs requested more pool cars and a more comprehensive bus
pass scheme
Letters to MSPs
- Some OTs have written to their MSPs and councillors to express
concerns over OT issues, and responses have been received
- Kirsten agreed to do draft of points to be included in letters
Practice Issues
- New duty systems are being proposed
- UNISON needs to ensure there is an overview of all changes
and proposals
- Paper on proposed changes to duty systems ignores the OT papers
that have been written and submitted
- OTs need a way of recording OT assessments outwith Carenap
Paediatric OTs
- Paediatric OTs are part of Children & Families but have
no clear management structure
- OTs in childrens' centres are SW but other therapists are
NHS
- "Therapy Redesign" project ongoing as part of Changing
Childrens' Services - involves keyworkers, Single Shared Assessment
and Special Needs Information Point at RHSC - organised by Elaine
Duff (physio at RHSC) - little consultation with OTs - Kirsten
to follow up
Rapid Response and Rehab Teams
- requests coming in for service but no infrastructure to support
work eg dedicated driver and van - this could be set up now
as money available
- little progress since August but Kirsten hopeful that work
will resume soon
top
|
|
Dates of Next Meetings
|
