Disabled workers hit harder in NHS cutbacks, TUC conference told

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Published: 21 May 2010
Author: Dolly Chadda

The recession is hitting disabled staff working in the NHS harder than non-disabled colleagues, the CSP told the TUC disability conference this week.

Financial cutbacks had already resulted in increased use of agency staff and long delays in filling posts, while some posts were being downgraded or cut altogether, a motion to the conference on 19 May signalled.

Increased demands on staff

This led to increased demands on remaining staff to continue to provide high quality care for patients with fewer and fewer colleagues and greater pressure to increase throughput, the motion, moved by Cliff Towson, convenor of the CSP disabled members' network, said.

The motion added, this could have a major impact on some disabled staff, who were legally entitled to reasonable adjustments and so may require more time to do their jobs.

Call to use equality impact assessments

Employers were also having problems getting funding for all the equipment disabled staff needed, Cliff Towson told delegates.

The motion called on the TUC to continue its good work in highlighting the disproportionate impact of the recession on disabled staff.

The TUC should also encourage affiliated unions to use equality impact assessments when changes to working practices were being introduced, so any disproportionate effects on disabled workers could be assessed and opposed.

The motion was carried.

Delegation members

Cliff Towson was re-elected to the TUC disability committee.

Other members of the CSP delegation to conference were Mike Cassidy, a member of the Society's disabled members' network, and Saraka Keating, CSP national officer.