Health authorities will receive cash to implement the Government’s Improving Working Lives standard, which promotes flexible working and employee-friendly practices in the NHS.
Only NHS trusts are currently eligible to receive £25,000 from the Government to implement the standard, which is designed to make the NHS the employer of choice in the UK.
At a conference in Birmingham last week, David Amos, head of NHS employment policy, said, “In the past, money was ring-fenced for each organisation, but now it will be spread across the NHS.”
AHHRM president Sally Storey said the extra money would help trusts solve the dilemma between spending more on staff pay and introducing flexible practices. Trusts have been able to spend money on paying for childcare coordinators and introducing childcare schemes, she explained.
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She said, “Where we are situated in Chertsey there is not a lot for staff to do outside work hours. This will allow them to improve their social lives with their colleagues and is part of our recruitment and retention strategy.”
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Hugh Taylor, HR director for the NHS Executive, has announced that he will be stepping down from his post. He will become NHS director of corporate affairs, working closely with Nigel Crisp, chief executive of the Department of Health.
