Union response to Alberti Report

Date published: 01 November 2005

The Shop Stewards Committee at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (PAHT) has welcomed the publication of the report commissioned by the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority (GMSHA). This, they believe, vindicates the double vote of 'no confidence' taken against the Executive Directors earlier in the year following a breakdown in the relationship between trade unions, hospital consultants and Pennine management.

The report was written by a team led by government health guru Sir George Alberti who met with unions, staff and managers in order to investigate the concerns raised not only by the trade unions but also by the body representing hospital consultants.

Pete Hinchliffe, the Trade Union Convenor at the Trust said, "The report completely vindicates the stance that we have taken and is very positive about the future role of the trade unions at Pennine. It praises us for our 'sensible' suggestions for providing more effective industrial relations within the Trust and lays heavy emphasis about our role in the future. The report also contains very clear and specific recommendations about the sort of management changes that will be needed to get the organisation on track. It is very critical about some of the existing management structure.

"We produced a 12-Point Action Plan earlier this year and have already been in talks with senior management about this. It is possible that further personnel changes amongst Board members and senior managers will be announced over the next few weeks as a result of this report. Certainly a change of direction is needed and we share the concerns raised in the report as to whether or not the Board in its present form can be an effective agent of change.

"All we want is to come to work, feel valued and not to be threatened or intimidated while we get on with the job of delivering quality services to our patients."