QEH: Subs not assured work

THE Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has made it clear that relief workers are not guaranteed appointments.In a Press release, the hospital, which is in discussions with the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) over the status of temporary workers, stated that “contrary to what has consistently been published and broadcast, an arrangement for temporary relief,or subbing as it is called, cannot constitute appointment to a post”.The QEH said that in the interest of transparency, vacancies would be advertised in accordance with established procedure.“In such an event, any person, including a relief worker, could apply for appointment to a vacant post for which he/she may be qualified,” the release from QEH board and management stated.It added that these matters were brought to the attention of the NUPW and it was advised by the office of the chief executive officer that the human resources sub-committee of the board would meet to discuss the policy. The QEH said the board process was not yet completed.“The hospital would, however, wish to emphasise that there is no right to an appointment in a relief post. No such posts exist. Relief workers are temporarily engaged in established posts for the period of absence by the substantive post-holder.“All substitute workers are employed on limited term contracts. This differs from appointed persons, who are permanent QEH employees who have acted in a post other than that for which they were appointed for a term of years, without prior consideration for appointment to hold the post in which they are acting.”The QEH has taken issue with any suggestion  that there has been any appointment of workers to fill any established posts. The hospital added that any notion that temporary relief workers could establish the right to legitimate expectation of continued or continuous employment was misleading. (MK)