The following guidance outlines the most up to date employment information for member midwives and MSWs working during the Coronavirus pandemic as of 03 August 2020.
NHS staff in England can access NHS Staff Council documents here and further guidance on terms and conditions and wider information on workforce issues and employment.
Tailored information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is also available. Northern Ireland can also access news updates here.
Negotiations are on-going with national governments and with NHS employers to ensure that all NHS staff are properly protected, supported and recompensed as they step up to help combat this pandemic. This includes priority testing for frontline NHS staff, pushing for ready access to appropriate PPE and a review of travel arrangements and parking. We are working around the table to ensure that midwives, MSWs and students are being heard and factored into all planning.
The RCM have produced the following guidance document which advises you of your rights and responsibilities at work, and how the RCM will support you in the event of a shortage of PPE.
Details of the NHS and social care coronavirus life assurance scheme (England) are now published. The Secretary of State announced a new scheme on 27 April 2020 to provide life assurance benefits for eligible NHS and social care staff in England who are performing frontline work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme is separate from the NHS Pension Scheme, meaning this payment will be made in addition to any death benefits in relation to NHS Pension Scheme membership. In the event of an eligible staff member dying in the course of COVID-19 work, a lump sum payment of £60,000 will be made to their estate, regardless of their salary. The scheme is time-limited, providing cover for the duration of the pandemic until the relevant NHS workforce provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 are withdrawn. Deaths that occurred before the announcement of the scheme will also be considered. For full details of the scheme please see here.
For information about the life assurance scheme in Scotland please click here.
For more information about the life assurance in Wales click here.
For more information about the life assurance scheme in Northern Ireland click here
For more information on pensions and COVID-19 (including those returning to the NHS) please see here.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has confirmed that the government will fund free parking for NHS staff for the duration of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Social Partnership Forum (SPF) has published a statement on industrial relations and partnership working.
We have also secured an undertaking from the NHS that any employers not following good employment practices during this period will be investigated. If your employer is not abiding by national guidance please contact us at EmploymentQueriesCOVID-19@rcm.org.uk.
Our workplace representatives will be involved in local discussions about emergency arrangements to keep services and staff safe. Our network of regional and national officers remain available to support and advise them.
On car sharing, we have published latest guidance to support staff getting to and from work. Please download here.