Benefits and Facilities
It is important to the UHB that all our staff are as happy as possible with their working arrangements because they are our investment for the future. All staff want to work in an organisation where they are supported and encouraged to use and develop their skills and expertise.
With this in mind, we have developed a wide range of benefits and facilities that we believe will ensure our staff get the most out of their time with us.
Pensions
The NHS Pension Scheme is recognised as one of the best company pension schemes in the country. This final salary pension scheme is an important and valuable benefit for staff in the NHS.
As a member you will benefit from a pension and tax free lump sum when you retire, life assurance cover, voluntary early retirement benefits, ill health retirement benefits, redundancy and family benefits.
Occupational Health
The UHB Occupational Health Service promotes the health of all staff within the UHB and provides a professional high quality and impartial advisory service.
The range of services provided include pre-employment health screening, advice on ill health retirement, rehabilitation and returning to work, counselling services, advice on weight loss and smoking cessation.
The Employee Wellbeing Service
The Employee Wellbeing Service is an independent service which promotes work practices that enhance the wellbeing of staff, and offers direct consultation and counselling to all staff.
Sports and Social Club
The Cardiff Medical Centre Sports and Social Club is based at the UHW site. It offers a wide range of facilities including a well-equipped fitness suite and indoor heated swimming pool, together with a variety of drop-in classes and pre-booked courses. The Club is open to members and non-members.
For further information visit their website at http://cmcssc.cardiff.ac.uk, telephone on 029 2074 2440 / 3830, or e mail at sports.sports&socialclub@wales.nhs.uk.
Equal Opportunities Employer
The UHB actively promotes a culture of equal opportunities for staff, patients and clients, through for example, strategies relating to equality of access to patient services, physical access to UHB facilities, all aspects of service delivery, employment practices, and cultural/disability awareness raising.
Learning and Development
Learning never stops and the UHB is committed to supporting individual personal and professional development goals wherever possible. Our Organisational Training and Development Centre has a team that co-ordinates a wide range of development opportunities for staff, including an extensive programme for:
- induction and mandatory training,
- clinical skills training,
- leadership and management development,
- basic skills,
- partnership working.
Staff will also be encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning to maintain competence and confidence in responding to changing clinical practice and technology. To assist in this, we have developed a range of blended learning approaches providing a variety of methods to suit individual learning styles, ensuring accessibility by all. Our ‘Learning Zones’ also provide computer based learning opportunities to help keep pace with changing technology, and develop new competences.
High on the UHB agenda is development of the NHS Knowledge Skills Framework (KSF). This is designed to identify the knowledge and skill that individuals require to be successful and effective in their role. Each individual member of staff will have a development review based upon their KSF enabling them to be clear about the expectations and demands of the post, and the knowledge and skills they need to learn and develop in order to meet these expectations.
Staff Charter
The UHB is incorporating a Staff Charter to ensure our staff are able to deliver patient care within a safe working environment. It underlines some of the important values which identify the kind of organisation everyone would want to work in.
Based on the principle of Zero Tolerance, it sets out expectations and standards of behaviour and practice for both the individual and the UHB and provides useful, practical advice on how to deal positively with incidents of violence and aggression.
Partnership Working
Key to the UHB success is a continued commitment to partnership working, not only with UHB Staff Side Representatives and Trade Union colleagues, but also with neighbouring Health Boards, the Welsh Assembly Government and other agencies, seeking out new and better ways to meet the health needs of the wider community.
Cardiff and Vale UNISON members now have their own branch website at www.cavunison.co.uk where members can get up to date news and information, as well as hearing about special offers available to members only.
Workplace Health
The former Trust achieved the Corporate Health Standard Gold Award for their quality and work in promoting the physical, mental and social well being of staff. We are now working towards the Platinum Award. We believe that a healthy workplace encourages healthy living, and a better work life balance for individuals.
Dignity at Work
The UHB recognises every individual’s right to be treated with dignity and respect in all aspects of their life, including the time spent in work. Our Dignity at Work Policy and Scheme which aims to maintain a working environment that is free from victimisation, bullying and harassment and to provide support to victims.
