Dear member,

UNISON would like to clarify the following in regards to the current A&E rota review. The ORH rota keys have been distributed by the Trust over the past few weeks are completely computer generated and so don’t take into consideration many of UNISON members concerns. These concerns include mass enforced staff movement, reduction in unsocial hours, change to shift lengths, reduction of RRV cover in all areas and the actual reduction of rural area DCA cover. Many of these issues have been highlighted in recent press stories and more external pressure is being applied from MPs, parish councils and other bodies.

Due to the above UNISON wishes to clarify its current position, the reason why we have asked members not to submit rotas using the current ORH figures is because the cover will change across Yorkshire. UNISON and other trade unions are currently discussing the levels of cover for each individual station and will hopefully come to some agreement over the next couple of weeks.

Just to emphasise a few of the issues being raised by UNISON members, some of our rural stations along the coast and west Yorkshire are having cover reduced. This would mean members moving station and potentially affecting patient care and putting patients at risk. Due to the 50% cut in RRV rotas many members may have to move station with no explanation as to why or where. The ORH figures also show a station in the south moving from 22 RRV members to only 5 and the potential for those staff to be moved to another station which even in the unlikely event it was agreed could not accommodate the extra staff. One of our smaller stations in the west has seen a massive increase in cover but yet again the station cannot accommodate the extra staff due to parking and health and safety issues.

UNISON is also aware there has been mixed messages from managers across Yorkshire, in certain areas members have been told that the Trust is going to work with the UNISON and other Trade unions to agree a realistic set of station rota keys. Yet in other areas managers are stating they need rotas in within 3 weeks or they will impose the “ORH ones”.

UNISON urges ALL members to stick together and wait until we can agree an appropriate level of cover for ALL stations because there will be further changes in cover at CBU level which could impact on individual stations.

Please email any questions of concerns to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will endeavour to address them promptly, area meetings are currently being arranged.

Regards, UNISON branch committee