NHS trade union reps get behind the lens

Trade union representatives at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have launched a film to explain to the Trust’s 4700 staff what they do.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of NHS community and mental health services across Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.

Representatives from recognised trade unions at the Trust are known as ‘Staff Side’ and they have made a short film that describes the vital role they play in the working lives of the Trust’s staff.

Tony Wright, Trust Staff Side secretary and joint UNISON branch secretary said, “Many staff weren’t fully aware of what Staff Side do and the influence we have on their working lives. So I decided to produce a film to reach as many people as possible and it’s had a great response.”

The Trust has a strong track record of staff and Staff Side involvement and the film includes interviews with the Trust’s chief executive, chairman and director of HR.

Tony Wright said, “The high level of partnership working we have built in this Trust enables us to hold early and sustained discussions on all areas including transitional issues, organisational change, and policy development. We represent the interests of staff at all levels and I hope our new film helps people become familiar with the role of Staff Side here at the Trust.”

Steven Michael, chief executive, said, “I was very happy to be involved in this film. Being a partnership organisation means being a partner not only with our service users and carers but also, importantly, with our staff. Staff Side has a fundamental role to play and I hope people watch the film and understand more about how they fulfil this.”

View the film on our website.