Unions claim victory in NHS reform

Public sector union UNISON and the British Medical Association welcomed the guarantee, given by health minister Simon Burns at the ongoing committee stage of the health reform bill.

Burns said the NHS pension regulations would be amended from April 2012 to bring the newly created managerial bodies - which are to be handed control of commissioning a range of care services - into line.

“We intend that GP commissioning consortia be classed as employing authorities for the purposes of access to the NHS pension scheme,” he told the legislative committee.

“As such, staff employed by consortia will be enrolled automatically and able to participate fully in the scheme.”

UNISON was concerned if the GP consortia had not been compelled to sign up to the scheme, they could have opted for another lower-cost option such as the National Employment Savings Trust, creating a two-tier entitlement across the service.

“We have been pressing for clarification on this, so [Burns’ statement] is helpful,” said UNISON senior national officer Mike Jackson.

Labour MP Emily Thornberry expressed her concern at the committee the pay and pensions of NHS workers would be left to the new employers’ discretion.

She said: “The purpose of the amendments is to ensure some protection for staff when they are transferred, rather than leaving terms and conditions, pay and pensions entirely to the whim of the consortia.”

But her amendment to add the clause “having due regard to the provisions of the NHS pension scheme” to the reform bill was defeated 13 to 11.

The Department of Health told schemeXpert.com  the consortia will not have the power to set contribution rates or benefit levels.

“It is expected the payments which are pensionable and the individuals who can access the scheme will remain the same,” said a spokesperson.

“The detail of NHS scheme administrative arrangements within the new commissioning board and GP consortia is still being developed.”