- SSHA will retain its name within Unite’s new structure.
- For internal purposes the governing body of SSHA will be referred to as the National Organising Professional Committee
. This replaces the previous title of “Council”. - SSHA will reform its regional boundaries to become co-terminus with Unite regions.
- SSHA will establish a phased move towards the new structure, with a view to elections for the new NOPC in early 2006.
- In the meantime existing elected members will remain in post. Where elected members need to resign before the end of their term of office, these will be replaced, and this process will be handled internally within SSHA NOPC.
- SSHA Council will rationalise its existing Council (NOCP) to 12 regional representatives, plus any other representatives who are co-opted to the Council with specific national roles. The co-opted NOCP members need to be defined by role. Their number needs to be reasonable and certainly not exceed the number of elected representatives. Plans for this should be available in time for the November 2005 meeting of the SSHA Council – henceforth to be called the SSHA NOPC.
- Co-opted NOCP members are likely to be – Membership Secretary, Registrar (Chair of Registration Committee), Treasurer, Secretary, Research Officer (Chair of SSHA Research Committee), Web Administrator and Education Officer (Chair of Education Committee). In recognition of the complexities of membership and professional issues in London and Scotland, as well as there being a regional representative on the NOPC for each of these regions, Scotland and London each require one other Professional Development officer on NPC.
- SSHA may continue to have an elected President and a separate Chair of the NCP.
- The President may be chosen by nomination or by national election.
- The President will serve a two-year term as for other NOPC members, except in the period 2006 – 2007.
- Members of the NOPC will elect the Chair.
- Should the elected Chair feel unable to also undertake the duties of regional representative, a second person may be elected to represent the region.
- In the style of other health professional bodies, an “alternate” may also be elected for each region, to attend meetings when the nominated/elected representative is unable to do so.
- “Issue specific” sub committees will also be facilitated within the new structure and financially supported as described in the consultation document.
- Members attending any of the above authorised and agreed meetings will be able to claim reasonable expenses as per the union rule
- In the spring of 2006 elections for the new NOPC will be held. The normal term of office will be 2 years, but in the first case this will be shortened and those elected in the spring of 2006 will serve until the end of 2007.
- Regional representatives may be chosen either by nomination from a region, or in the case of more than one nomination, by election. The NOPC may decide the election process in conjunction with the lead officer.
- SSHA NOPC, in conjunction with the lead officer, will appoint other NPC members for terms as agreed by the NPC.
- Those elected in January 2008 will serve a full 2 year term
- The broad agreement allows for x4 one-day meetings per year or one overnight meeting plus two one-day meetings.
- The model for SSHA, which has been established during 2005, is that there will be x4 one-day meetings per year. Two one-day meetings may be combined for a two-day meeting when necessary.
- The NOPC may convene other meetings as required for professional reasons.
- SSHA will continue to be supported by a team of professional officers.
- Unite will financially support the professional activity of SSHA, including support for regional group meetings and study days.
- However, it should be noted that SSHA is a national branch of the union and as such subject to branch rules.
- The union recognises the unique role of SSHA conference as a professional activity and a major recruitment forum, and it will be supported as such.
- The union recognises the professional and public health significance of the SSHA web site.
- The union acknowledges the significance and importance of external sponsorship in support of SSHA professional activities – e.g. the Manual for Sexual Health Advisers produced by SSHA in conjunction with and sponsored by the Department of Health.
- NPC members including co-opted members will become accredited Unite representatives and therefore benefit from facilities agreements for elected union representatives.
- The NPC in conjunction with the National Officer will determine the mechanism and timings for elections in line with the consultation paper.
National Organising Professional Committee Co-ordinating Group – NPCCG
The broad agreement also includes details of this new committee, devised to determine the common professional practice and policy development agenda of Unite Health Sector. The committee will meet twice a year and will consist of the Chairs of the “badged” groups and associations, or in the case of SSHA the Chair and / or President (to be clarified).
It is hoped that the above addresses the specific arrangements for SSHA within the context of the broader proposals of the new committee structure.