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NHS workers criminal check cost standoff
NHS workers in Lancashire are refusing to pay for checks to prove they don’t have a criminal record in a stand-off with bosses, it emerged today.
The Evening Post revealed how health workers employed by NHS Central Lancashire, the primary care trust for the area, brought in a new policy asking staff to pay for their own Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks, the cost of which used to be met by the trust.
Workers at the PCT require a check when they start employment and again every three years. A standard CRB check costs £26 and an enhanced is £36.
However, in April this year, the trust passed over the responsibility of paying for CRB checks to the employee.
Unions reacted with anger to the new policy and lodged a grievance. However, union officials today revealed that the PCT is refusing to back down and accept that their new policy is unfair.
George Dixon, Preston branch spokesman for UNISON, said: “We are disappointed that the PCT have so far refused to accept that it is unfair for staff to pay for their own CRB checks.
“These checks are compulsory for large numbers of NHS staff and to demand that staff pay at the same time as they are being told that they will not be receiving a pay rise for two years is disgusting.
“UNISON have lodged a grievance and until this is heard we do not expect any staff members to be paying for their own checks - if any are then we urge them to contact their trade union.”
Janet Whitworth, NHS Central Lancashire’s interim director of human resources, said: “Since the grievance was lodged we have met with representatives from UNISON but have been unable to reach an agreement.
“The matter has now been referred to ACAS for arbitration.
“We would not expect staff to start paying for CRB checks straight away and have offered to give them three months notice of the change to payment and for the money to be recovered from their salary in instalments so they can spread the cost.
“We have been part of discussions happening regionally around whether or not staff should pay for their own CRB checks, as NHS trusts do not have a legal requirement to pay for them.
“The majority of organisations have agreed that staff should pay for their checks and this is already common practice in the private sector.”
Tim Ellis, regional organiser for UNISON, said: “This decision is unfair and is punitive against part-time workers, low-paid workers and NHS staff generally. UNISON is bitterly opposed to this.”
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
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Voice Of Reason
Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 01:00 PMBloomin' eck, make your minds up LEP! Just the other week you were slamming the NHS for giving nurses the 'perk' of free parking at the clinics they work at!!! Seems a bit hypocritical to keep changing sides on this. I work at another NHS trust and have to say you need to look at the bigger picture - there are redundancies left right and centre and I for one would rather pay an extra bit a year to make sure I have a job in a years time. Money doesn't grow on trees and if this small change saves jobs then it can only be a good thing. But why let the 'bigger picture' and proper journalism get in the way of another 'shock! horror!' story, eh?!!
getagriponlife
Friday, July 30, 2010 at 12:19 PMWhy should staff have to pay for CRB checks? My wife is a nurse and already has to pay £76 a year for nurse (nmc) registraion. I am sure that others have to pay for their registration and this new cost is yet another 'stealth tax'. Shame on the NHS.
kezzer
Friday, July 30, 2010 at 12:10 AMIts a good job Preston City Council dont ask cabbies to pay...we wouldnt have any taxis...asking people to pay is wrong !!
beast155
Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 11:45 AMstand firm staff!
beast155
Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 11:45 AMstand firm staff!
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