Question reference: S6W-25849
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 28 February 2024
-
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 5 March 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on reducing the working week in the NHS to 36 hours as part of the 2022-23 pay deal.
Answer
The first 30-minute reduction in the working week for all Agenda for Change staff should start on 1 April 2024.
In the event, that a local Health Board cannot fully implement the agreement in a particular department or within a particular speciality due to service pressures, safe staffing or wellbeing staff will be recompensed accordingly until the service can accommodate their reduction. As full-time hours are reducing to 37, any time above this will be at time and a half as per the current terms and conditions.
Analysis of this initial 30-minute reduction will be used to help inform the best way to roll out the remaining reductions in the working week in future years.
Further details, including implementation guidance on each of these areas will be issued to the NHS prior to 1 April 2024.
I am grateful to both Trade Union and Employer representatives for working in partnership with us to develop these reforms to help modernise our service.