Livewell Southwest and Trade Unions have worked together to uplift the pay of over 100 Healthcare Assistants who work for Livewell Southwest providing valuable health and social care
services across Plymouth and parts of Devon.
Following national guidance issued regarding the banding of clinical support workers, Livewell commenced work with Matrons to review the competencies of the roles and held a joint task and
finish group with our local unions to undertake a comprehensive review of the roles of its band 2 Healthcare Assistants to ensure that their job descriptions and pay banding accurately reflected
the roles that they were undertaking and entered into discussions with its trade union partners.
The starting position was that band 2 Healthcare Assistants carry out duties which largely incorporate personal care tasks, whereas the duties of band 3 Healthcare Assistants also include
clinical duties and patient observations. As a result of this review, with effect from October 2022, over 100 healthcare assistants were re-banded from band 2 to band 3 resulting in pay rises for all
impacted staff. For those that were at the top of band 2 this resulted in a pay rise of £1,859 per year. These changes also included re-banding and a pay increase for staff working bank shifts.
Through the Joint Trade Union Forum, Livewell and its partner unions, worked collaboratively to consider the impact of this change and it was agreed that those current employees affected by this
change would be offered a one-off discretionary payment. Full time members of staff with over four years’ service will receive up to £4,000, those with two to four years’ service will receive up to
£3,000 and those with less than two years’ service will receive up to £2,000 (pro-rated for those working part-time) less the normal deductions.
It was also agreed that this one-off discretionary payment will also be paid to those colleagues who were in an affected Healthcare Assistant role prior to 1 October 2022 and have left this role
for a different role within Livewell Southwest, in recognition of their continued commitment to delivering health and social care services to our users of our services.
This has been achieved through constructive dialogue between Livewell and the Joint Trade Union Forum members and demonstrates the value of having effective partnership working
arrangements.
Dawn Slater, Livewell Southwest Director of People and Professionalism / Executive Lead Nurse said:
“Over the last 5 months we have been working in partnership with our Trade Union colleagues to
find a resolution to ensure that our Health Care Assistants receive the right pay since the changes
were brought in and I am very pleased we have been able to agree this. Healthcare assistants are
a fundamental and pivotal part of our workforce and it is fantastic for them to be recognised for the
amazing work that they do.”
Dave Dodd, UNISON representative and Joint Trade Union Forum Chair said:
“Many of these staff worked through the pandemic, performing vital care and clinical support to
patients. It was only right that their pay should be corrected to take account of the highly skilled
clinical duties they have been carrying out.
“I’m pleased that Livewell Southwest have worked collaboratively with all the unions to ensure
healthcare assistants and other clinical support workers are recognised and rewarded fully.”
