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Senior Executives

The lack of union representation for senior executives in our health and care services was at the heart of FDA’s and UNISON’s decision to launch MiP back in 2005 – and their needs and interests remain central to our work. 

Executive meeting
With hundreds of senior health executives in membership – including many chief executives, and running across and beyond the NHS – we have enormous expertise in handling the kinds of employment problems encountered at this level.

In particular, senior executives are vulnerable to political and media pressures, and they’re often badly treated in organisational change programmes, when specific service failures are discovered within their areas of responsibility, or when national bodies intervene in local decision-making. At these times, our national officers provide personalised, one-to-one support to ensure that members’ employment rights are respected and their careers protected.

Another common field of casework involves the Fit and Proper Person regulations: we regularly help members to address challenges brought under those rules. And we offer expert advice on the convoluted tax regime covering the pensions of senior health executives, ensuring that they receive the full benefits to which they’re entitled.

Meanwhile, we represent senior executive members collectively by engaging with national bodies and health organisations to improve career development, employment terms and pay structures; we are, for example, regularly asked to submit evidence to national pay review bodies. We play a key role in making policy on equalities issues within NHS management, working to ensure that the diversity of the wider workforce is reflected in senior positions. And we run campaigns to explain and demonstrate the value and importance of senior managers within our health and care services, challenging the popular narrative touted by journalists and politicians.

As well as our members within NHS trusts, MiP also serves senior executives working for private and voluntary sector health providers, social care providers, and commissioning bodies such as CSUs.

Hospital ward superimposed with waiting list graph

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20 October 2023 | By Craig Ryan
Feature
Blind managers standing outside corporate offices

Despite recent advances, many disabled NHS managers still face multiple disadvantages at work. Understanding and commitment from line managers and local leaders is the key to further progress, writes Jessica Bradley

13 October 2023 | By Jessica Bradley
Feature
Oonagh Monhouse pictured at her desk in August 2023

As joint chair of the NHS Staff Council, Oonagh Monkhouse negotiates with unions on behalf of hundreds of NHS employers. But she’s also a working manager as director of workforce at the Royal Papworth, the UK’s leading heart and lung hospital. She talks to Matt Ross about boosting staff morale, building management capacity and why it’s important to try walking in someone else’s shoes.

27 September 2023 | By Matt Ross
Interview
Jon Restell portrait 2021

The Lucy Letby case demands a comprehensive and thoughtful response. Statutory regulation of managers may be a part of that, but won't be a quick fix. Right now, we need to tackle a culture that deters staff, patients and the public from raising concerns about NHS care.

22 September 2023 | By Jon Restell
Leading Edge
Sir Chris Ham thumb Summer 2023

As the party conference season gets underway this weekend, Sir Chris Ham sets out the challenges facing the UK’s political parties as they draw up their NHS policies, and argues that the multiple crises facing the NHS can be overcome with honesty, realism and political will.

20 September 2023 | By Sir Chris Ham
Analysis & opinion
Blurred picture of raised hands in a meeting

With the relentless upheaval in the NHS, voluntary redundancy may seem like a chance to get out while the going’s good. But not all schemes offer a good deal and government rules and tax policy can eat into your settlement.

14 September 2023 | By Rhys McKenzie
Feature
Flock of migrant birds flying in V-formation

Workers from overseas have been part of the health and care family since the NHS began. They are valued and respected colleagues who face many extra challenges in the workplace and beyond. Katia Widlak offers her tips on recruiting, supporting, and retaining your migrant workforce.

27 July 2023 | By Katia Widlak
Tipster
Black hand and white hand reaching out to each other

Latest figures show black and minority ethnic staff in the NHS are still denied the same opportunities for promotion and career development as white colleagues. We investigate why a public service that’s more diverse than ever before is still failing to root out race discrimination.

25 July 2023 | By Craig Ryan
Feature
Black Country rep Sara Saville thumbnail image

Meet Your Reps: Two of MiP’s most experienced reps, Dave Whatton and Sara Saville from the Black Country ICB, talk about negotiating organisational change and supporting MiP members through turbulent and uncertain times.

11 July 2023 | By MiP
MiP at work
Sara Gorton speaking at Unison Centre, May 2023

“The government miscalculated on all sorts of fronts”, says Sara Gorton, UNISON’s lead negotiator during the recent NHS pay dispute. She tells Matt Ross how a tide of dissatisfaction from workers and strong public support enabled union negotiators to hold their nerve and cut a pay deal that won overwhelming backing from members.

28 June 2023 | By Matt Ross
Interview
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Sexual harassment is against the law, but that doesn’t stop it happening. Josie Irwin offers her tips on recognising sexual harassment in the workplace and how to intervene effectively as a manager.
26th Oct 2023
By Josie Irwin
Tipster
MiP has called on Patricia Hewitt's review of ICS powers to strike the right balance between local autonomy and central direction, warning that many NHS managers will be suspicious of the ideological motives behind the review.
19th Dec 2022
By MiP
News

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