Plans by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust to impose a new administrative structure will put patient safety at risk, says UNISON today (Thursday).
If the proposals go ahead specialised medical secretary roles will disappear and there will be cuts to administrative cover across the Trust. Up to 74 Band 4 posts could disappear, replaced by Band 3 positions and apprentices will be sought to fill Band 2 roles.
With fewer staff to deliver the same amount of work UNISON is concerned that these proposals will have a massive impact on the workload of clinical staff and consequently the quality and safety of care.
Staff took place in lunchtime demonstrations outside workplaces across the Trust voicing their concerns about the proposals.
Michael Sweetman, UNISON regional organiser said:
“It is outrageous that these proposals have been sold by the employer as a way to increase efficiency and job satisfaction. In reality they represent a dangerous attempt to obtain mental heath services on the cheap and furthering the race to the bottom through levelling downwards, rather than upwards.
“Mental health support in the UK is already in crisis, with increasing need countered by under-resourcing of services.”
