02 March 2007
The government this week promised NHS unions a greater say in the development of policy after months of wrangling over pay, pensions and the influence of the private sector.
Ministers, NHS Employers and unions signed an agreement that will lead to regular debate in a new partnership forum. Trades unions and employers will be able to give their perspective at an early stage of policy development.
Unison, one of the signatories, warned ministers that the forum must be more than a talking shop. Karen Jennings, the union's head of health, said: 'The coming months will be crucial in testing out how the new arrangement will work. Partnership working can only succeed if the government demonstrates that it is listening and taking action on staff concerns about policy direction.'
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt promised to listen: 'Staff have the knowledge and experience to know what really works and we need to harness this knowledge.'
The partnership is the culmination of work carried out by health minister Andy Burnham, who has been trying to re-engage NHS staff with the government's health reforms.
PFmar2007
