The situation with the COVID–19 (coronavirus) is a fast moving and developing issue.
There is delicate balance to strike in relation to ensuring that we maximise the availability of staff whilst at the same time supporting the control of the spread of this virus and safeguard the health and wellbeing of staff. There is an expectation that organisations take appropriate and proportionate action to support staff in their organisational responses and communications which do not inadvertently work against this approach.
We are working with colleagues across Welsh Government and with trade union partners and UK colleagues to provide ongoing clarity in this area to ensure that our advice, guidance and support is joined up to ensure and that there is ongoing consistent advice in relation to wider aspects of employment and management responses. Likewise, the development of plans and approaches at local level should be made in partnership, wherever possible.
General Workforce Advice and Guidance
Welsh Government has announced that a bonus payment will be made to eligible staff working in the NHS in Wales. A set of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed for managers and staff.
These have been developed and agreed in partnership to support managers and staff in relation to a wide range of situations relating to the COVID-19 including any variations to terms and conditions of service.
These FAQs have been developed in partnership by Welsh Government officials and Welsh Partnership Forum Business Committee Trade Union colleagues to reassure and support managers and individuals in matters relating to the COVID-19 vaccine.
A joint statement outlining how Welsh Government, employers and trade unions will seek to maintain partnership working at all levels during the pandemic.
A joint statement agreed by the NHS Wales Welsh Partnership Forum on taking annual leave during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Guidance on supporting shielding employees return to the workplace given shielding will be paused from 16th August 2020 in Wales (and from 1st August 2020 in England). See also Top Ten Tips for Managers on shielding employees returning to work.
Additional guidance on the FAQ relating to the management of disciplinary matters, grievances, and other formal processes during the Covid-19 response.
The COVID-19 outbreak has necessitated a switch to homeworking for a great deal of staff to help prevent its spread. This guidance contains a number of approaches which both employers and employees can follow to ensure that individuals continue to be effectively supported whilst undertaking their roles from a different location and that vital work continues to be undertaken.
A selection of open access tools and resources aimed at staff across the Service which has been developed in partnership. The resource is intended to be organic and the content will be adapted as the situation changes.
These have been agreed in partnership and are available to support the redeployment of staff between organisations as required during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Medical Workforce Only
Temporary changes - Consultants, Specialty Doctors and Associated Specialists
This letter (20 April 2020) outlines the temporary changes agreed in partnership to recognise the commitment of consultants, specialty doctors and associated specialists.
This letter (29 June 2020) advises that the arrangements will be extended until 31 July 2020.
This letter (30 July 2020) advises that the temporary arrangements ceased with effect from 31 July 2020.
This statement (1 November 2020) outlines the temporary changes agreed in partnership to recognise the commitment of consultants, specialty doctors and associated specialists with effect from 1 November 2020 to 31 March 2021.
This statement sets out the principles agreed in partnership that will apply during the period.
This statement sets out the principles agreed in partnership that will apply during the period.
Advice for the public
Please see Public Health Wales website.