Thursday 8 September 2022

In this issue:

Welcome to your latest staff newsletter, the chance to read about what is happening across the organisation. Don't forget, you can also log into the staff intranet to read more updates, look at policies, plus much more. 

Latest news 

Welcome to Sue and Kal: Message from Sir Richard Leese, Chair of NHS GM I’m pleased to be able to share a little more with you about our two recent Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board non-executive director appointments. Dame Sue Bailey, who has been appointed Chair of the Quality and Performance Committee, and Kal Kay, Chair of the Finance Committee.   Sue and Kal bring a wealth of experience, skills and perspectives to the Board and will use their independent status to provide constructive challenge and oversight to ensure we make good decisions in the best interests of our Greater Manchester people and communities.

Sue (right) lives in Manchester and has worked as a child and adolescent psychiatrist for over 30 years. Sue’s national health policy and research work has focused on how to improve health care delivery through education and training of practitioners to help them understand the unique circumstances of every patient. Sue is currently a non-executive director at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, chair of The Centre for Mental Health, and an independent non-executive director of KOOTH mental health online platform. Kal (top photo) is an experienced Chief Finance Officer with 20 years of senior finance experience in the public and not for profit sector. She is currently the chief finance officer at The Trafford College Group with previous strategic financial experience in housing, health, local authority and the third sector. Kal has had numerous non-exec roles and is currently a trustee at a local multi-academy trust and a non-executive director with Camerados, a community interest company whose aim is to end social isolation.

Meet the Manager for the Menopause Cafe Michelle Maloney, System Health & Wellbeing Project Manager, tells us why the Menopause Cafe was set up. She said: “We decided to set up the Menopause Cafe drop-in sessions because of the level of demand and interest around the menopause. We wanted to create a safe space for colleagues to have an open and friendly chat about everything related to menopause. Within a few days of launching the Menopause Cafe initiative we had more than 50 staff members who had expressed an interest. We have now held two Menopause Cafe sessions and have invited along guest speakers to attend which have so far included Gaele Lalahy from Balance Menopause and Ruth Rosselson from Manchester Mind. “Anyone who has an interest, is experiencing symptoms, or just curious to know more about menopause is welcome to attend the Menopause Cafe. Leave your details on this form so you can be added to our distribution list for upcoming sessions and further updates.”  Here is some of the great feedback from people after attending the sessions: “I feel empowered to raise awareness with colleagues and managers and help reduce the stigma and embarrassment that traditionally exists when talking about ‘women’s issues’ and specifically the menopause.   We have nothing to be embarrassed about!!” “They’re fabulous! Great sessions with excellent speakers offering practical support. Been able to personally use some of the learning to battle my way to get an appointment and now on the next step of my journey, thank you!” “I was very happy with the informal approach to the session as I immediately felt comfortable sharing experiences with others who attended. I picked up quite a few tips on how to cope better with the stressful side of menopause.” “It has been a valuable support and information group for like-minded women that felt they had no place to go.  The group sessions are my new therapy so thank you, I no longer feel alone.”

Catch up with Mark - Make a Date Don’t forget to join us for the next Live Leadership Briefing led by Mark on Thursday, 22 September, 2.30-3.30.  The link to join the briefing is: https://bit.ly/NHSGM-Staff-Briefing-Sept-22 Further live briefing leadership dates have been set for: Thursday, 20 October, 9am – 10am Thursday, 17 November, 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Make Smoking History Survey

Take the opportunity to have your say on the new plans to make more outdoor spaces in Greater Manchester smoke-free and be in with the chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

As part of the Partnership for Healthy Cities there is a commitment to creating more smoke-free spaces to protect everyone from the harmful effects of tobacco and help prevent younger generations from picking up the habit. Smoke-free areas could include parks and green spaces, children’s play areas, high streets and areas outside schools and public buildings.  

You can find the survey here, closing date is Sunday, 11 September.

Support the NHS GM Drymester campaign

Drymester is an award-winning awareness campaign commissioned by NHS GM, which seeks to highlight the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The aim is to encourage pregnant women, or women planning a pregnancy, to follow the Chief Medical Officers’ advice and not to drink alcohol at all.  As part of International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day this Friday, 9 September, colleagues are asked to help spread the word and more information is available at www.drymester.org.uk

Partnership Newsletter Update

Use this link to read the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership bulletin. It is issued to all wider GM stakeholders and includes updates from the whole health and care system across the city region.

Our people

Job Vacancies Advertised Internally First

NHS GM job vacancies will be advertised internally for two weeks to enable colleagues to apply for roles in areas that interest them. It is an opportunity to develop new skills and experience and to work in different roles across the organisation. If, after two weeks, there are no suitable internal candidates, vacancies will then be advertised externally. In exceptional circumstances internal and external recruitment may run in parallel. 

Please follow the link to see all current vacancies - Vacancies | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership (gmintegratedcare.org.uk)

Pay Award – Impact on Pension Contributions

Due to the recent pay award some individuals at entry level in  pay bands 3, 5 and 8a will lift into a higher pension contribution bracket. Therefore, for the period of 01 April – 30 September the expected back pay will be unfortunately absorbed by this change. In particular, those in Band 8a are affected as their back pay will be insufficient to offset the pension arrears. Consequently, your pay for September could be less than it was in August.

We understand that this will come as unwelcome news. Unfortunately, this is not something that is within NHS GM’s control. We are working with Payroll to confirm those colleagues in band 8a affected and to identify what support can be offered as a priority. Further details will be sent directly to those impacted, as soon as possible.

If you require further advice or wish to discuss your pension options, please Contact NHS Pensions - members | NHSBSA or call 0300 330 1346. 

Further information and resources regarding financial wellbeing are also available under Your Financial Wellbeing on the intranet.

Important Changes to Pension Contributions   

The amount you pay into the NHS Pension Scheme may change from Saturday,1 October.  Changes to member contribution rates will be phased in over two years in October 2022 and in 2023, but the exact date is still to be confirmed by the Government.

The changes mean that some NHS pension scheme members will have a higher contribution rate and will be required to contribute more to the scheme, whilst others will have a lower contribution rate and will contribute less.  Many part-time employees will contribute less from October 2022. This is because contribution rates will be based on what an individual actually earns each year, rather than what they would have earned if they worked full time. Details of the new contribution rates can be found at NHS Pension Scheme member contribution rates poster | NHS Employers.

These changes will only affect the amount that members contribute to the scheme and not the amount of pension received on retirement.

Employer contributions will continue at 20.6% of your pensionable earnings each month.

The changes to monthly pension contributions, and associated changes in tax, could affect your monthly take home pay from October 2022. The pension contribution changes are being implemented following the recently announced 2022/23 pay award. This is intended to help mitigate the impact on take-home pay for those members that will be required to pay higher pension contributions.

If you require further advice, or wish to discuss your pension options, please contact NHS Pensions - members | NHSBSA or call 0300 330 1346. 

The following salary calculator tool is available at https://www.thesalarycalculator.co.uk/salary.php should you wish to use it to understand what impact this change may have on your take home pay.

Payroll Key Dates – Make a Note

Please see below the key dates for line mangers submitting additional payments such as overtime through the Electronic Time Attendance Document.

Staff Privacy Notice

The Staff Privacy Notice is now available to read on the intranet. The Privacy Notice explains in detail the type of information, including personal data, that NHS GM process about you. Click on the link below to read it in full.

Supporting our health and wellbeing 

Staff Vaccinations: NHS GM Flu and Covid Vaccine Booster Campaign

Preparations are well underway for the delivery of the Flu and COVID Vaccine booster campaign to be rolled out across NHS GM as an important component of the NHS winter plan.  It is anticipated that colleagues will be able to receive the above vaccines within the next four weeks across a number of different venues and pathways helping increase accessibility to colleagues. Further details to follow shortly.

Training and development

Healthcare Financial Management Association: An Introduction to NHS Finance New resources from the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) will be of interest to those working within, or alongside our finance colleagues. The HFMA introductory guide to NHS finance provides detailed explanations of how NHS finance works, as well as the wider landscape in which it operates and how it has evolved alongside policy and structural changes. The guide is updated quarterly and the latest edition has been updated to reflect recent organisational changes – including the role of integrated care systems and integrated care boards.  The HFMA Talk podcast looks at the latest in NHS finance and shines a light on good practice in the field. The latest episode offers an introduction to NHS finance. Topics covered include the role of new statutory bodies, how finances flow across systems, reporting and accountability, and where you can find further support. Click here to listen.

Fully Funded Growth Company Training: Step into Management

The Growth Company, Education & Skills is inviting NHS GM staff to join its Step into Management fully funded course. This course supports the upskilling of anyone who is in a supervisory and/or management role. It will help you develop key tools and competencies needed to manage and lead others. This course takes approximately six weeks to complete and is delivered in a variety of ways such as taught workshops virtual sessions, self-study and activity/assessment completion.

The course has two levels, three and five. The level a learner is placed on is tailored to their current role, experience and prior attainment. On completion of the programme, they will receive a Level 3 CMI Certification in Leadership and Management. 

To apply for the course you must be employed and work within Greater Manchester in the health and care sector.

To find out more, click on the link below or email stepintomanagement@gceducationandskills.ac.uk.

Training Opportunity – Job Matching Panel Members

To enable partnership working as part of Job Matching using national NHS Job Evaluation processes. The training provided is accredited and will be delivered by NHS Employers across the autumn period.

We are looking for 20 colleagues from across NHS GM to be trained on how to determine job bandings and to get involved in our job matching panels.

We want the composition of our panels to reflect the diversity of our new organisation and would ideally like to attract a balance of colleagues who can represent and provide input from both trade union and management sides.

Once trained, panel members we will be asked to support the process by giving ½ day of their time between 4 and 6 times a year.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Sam Owens via samantha.owens3@nhs.net. by Friday 16 September 2022.

If you would like to find out more about the training or have any questions about what is involved in sitting on panels, please contact a member of the People & Culture team via gmhscp.peopleservices@nhs.net

Mandatory Training Now Accessed via ESR

As a reminder, mandatory training for staff employed by NHS GM will now be accessed through Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Your training history has been transferred and ESR has automatically enrolled you on to the required core mandatory training modules.

There are two online user guides to help you to complete your training via ESR:

• How to access and complete your mandatory training
• A managers’ guide to view team compliance

If you have any queries on your ESR learning account or you have questions, please contact gmhscp.peopleservices@nhs.net.

Please note that mandatory training arrangements for colleagues employed by NHS England remain unchanged.

Sustainable Procurement Training

Details and dates are now available for sustainable procurement training focusing on net zero and social value, led by NHS England nationally.

To gain access, email england.ptomsustainability@nhs.net or log into Future NHS and request to ‘join workspace’.

Dates for the diary 

Raising Awareness on Suicide Prevention Greater Manchester’s Shining a Light on Suicide campaign is recognising the Month of Hope, which raises awareness on how we can help with suicide prevention. It runs from Saturday, 10 September, until Monday, 10 October. To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, a GM online event is being held on Friday, 9 September, 10am to 12pm. The theme is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’.  Please come along to learn how we can all make a difference. Sign up here. On Tuesday 13 September, a pop-up barbershop with staff trained in suicide awareness support comes to Manchester Piccadilly railway station, in partnership with GM ICP. It will offer free haircuts and a chat to passengers and commuters who feel they want to talk. The Lions Barber Collective, a group of international barbers raising awareness for suicide prevention, and its founder Tom Chapman will be present along with Sandeep Ranote, GM mental health medical executive lead, and Judd Skelton, Chair of the GM Suicide Prevention Programme. Read about all the events on suicide prevention taking place over the next month here.

NHS GM Craft and Chat Club

Try something new with the GM Craft and Chat Club. The group is meeting online on Wednesday, 21 September, 12.30 pm to 1.30pm. You will be able to make a greeting card and materials will be provided. There is a small charge of £3 to cover materials and postage.

Register your interest by 12pm on Tuesday, 14 September, using the link below. 

NHS GM Book Club

Meet new colleagues and discuss a new book at the next NHS GM book club. It’s meeting online on Thursday, 22 September, 4pm to 4.45pm.

The group is currently reading ’The Accidental Apprentice’ by Vikas Swarup. So grab a drink and share your thoughts on the novel with your colleagues across GM, everyone is welcome. To click on the link below to register your interest. 

For more details email gmhscp.gmworkingtogether@nhs.net

Health and Wellbeing Staff Sessions

Have you looked at the Health and Wellbeing Calendar recently? Sessions on sleeping better, menopause awareness and financial health sessions have been planned for over the next two months. Click on the link below to see the full list. 

Share Your News

As always, we encourage you to let us know what’s happening across the organisation and in localities so we can help share news that is relevant and informative to our wider GM colleagues. We know there’s lots of great events and celebrations happening, so please make sure you let us know.

We require signed off written stories saved as a Word document. Also, it would be beneficial if you can supply us with pictures, or associated images, and for these to be submitted to us with the signed off copy.

We are looking for content that is new, so if you have used the story elsewhere then please submit a refreshed version as some readers may be familiar with the original story. 

Please aim for your story to be no more than 250 words and we also may need to edit your story before it is published. 

To send us your story and images, please email gmhscp.internalcomms@nhs.net

Contacting NHS Greater Manchester Internal Communications

The NHS Greater Manchester internal communications email inbox is for NHS Greater Manchester staff only. Please be aware that it is not constantly monitored, it is checked periodically each day, in the morning and afternoon.

If your email to the inbox is urgent, please make sure you mark your email as high importance.

If you have an HR query, please email gmhscp.peopleservices@nhs.net.

If you have a query about being added onto the distribution list to receive internal communications, please contact your own local communications team.