Valuing our Staff

People making the difference

In line with the requirements of the NHS Human Resources Strategy: Working Together, CCO has undertaken a Trust-wide Staff Attitude survey during the past 12 months. The results of the survey have been published and these have demonstrated some improvement in communication across the Centre since the last survey was completed in 1996. The next year will see the delivery of a number of actions, based on recommendations made by staff.

Staff involvement in the planning and delivery of services is recognised as enhancing motivation and commitment and CCO is working towards establishing staff involvement in decision making as central to the delivery of services. Ward staff already make choices on ward re-design and staff working groups meet to progress new initiatives.

Following on from the Trust's commitment to working towards the Investor in People quality standard, further progress has been made in supporting training and development for all employees. The Trust's Induction Programme has been reviewed and revised and it is now compulsory for all new staff to attend. In addition, extensive training of senior staff in appraisal skills is in progress to facilitate the introduction of personal development reviews across the Centre.

The Trust has commenced a multi-professional Clinical Leadership programme which aims to develop a wide range of skills for Ward Managers, Superintendent Radiographers and equivalent staff to assist them in delivering the Clinical Governance agenda within their particular area.

National shortages of all health care professionals, particularly Therapy Radiographers, has caused us some problems in the last year and this has inevitably increased pressures on remaining staff. In order to address these problems, a Recruitment and Retention strategy is being developed, which should improve the working lives of all staff.

As part of: Working Together and the national: Tackling Racial Harassment in the NHS Project, CCO has achieved the following during 1999/2000:

• policies and procedures in place to tackle inequality in the workplace and harassment by staff and service users have been revised
• monitoring arrangements for violent incidents have been improved.

During 2000/01 we will be working towards three strategic aims which have been identified by the NHS Executive in circular HSC 2000/014. In particular, the Trust will be implementing policies to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities and the Trust Board will undergo training on management equality and diversity in employment and service delivery. This training will be cascaded throughout the organisation.

Support Services
The Medical Secretariat and Records Department is often seen as the Cinderella function of the Trust. However, without this administrative linchpin, the smooth operation of CCO services would soon collapse.

The Department provides secretarial and clerical support services to medical staff and the range of duties undertaken is extensive. Staff prepare paperwork for some 75 clinics and post an average of 1,500 letters a week.

The services provided are currently very labour intensive. However, the planned procurement and introduction of new computerised systems promises a fundamental change in working practices.