Summary
Two GP practices in Wigan have become the latest employers to achieve member status of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter.
Demonstrating employment excellence in seven characteristics, they hope to inspire other primary care employers.
A further two GP practices in Wigan have achieved member status of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter (GEC).
Marus Bridge Medical Practice and The Shakespeare Surgery are two of only three GP practices across Greater Manchester to demonstrate employment excellence in seven specific characteristics, as defined by the GEC.
They join fellow Wigan practice, Hawkley Brook Medical Practice, as members of the charter along with a growing cohort of public and private companies and organisations.
Dr Tim Dalton, managing director of The Shakespeare Surgery and chair of Greater Manchester General Practice Provider Board (GPB), said: “We are really proud of our dedicated team. They go the extra step to help our patients and so the employers have always treated them in the same way; not just by paying them well, but by offering support in so many ways.
“With this in mind, we are honoured to become a member of the charter in the hope we can inspire other employers to equally invest in their staff’s wellbeing, and gain the rewards of a vibrantly growing business, based on the foundations of a great team.”
Dr Ruth Jacks, GP Partner at Marus Bridge Medical Practice, said: “We are very proud to be amongst the first GP surgery employers to become a member of the Good Employment Charter. We have always held staff wellbeing and employment conditions as high as patient care delivery.
“Working to achieve these set of standards that benchmark how good employment should look, irrespective of type of organisation, has supported us in ensuring no aspect of good employment has been overlooked.”
To progress from supporter to member, employers must undergo an assessment and technical panel review to ensure they meet the charter’s seven characteristics of good employment. These are: secure work; flexible work; pay; engagement and voice; recruitment; people management; and health and wellbeing.
The charter’s goal is to improve employment standards throughout Greater Manchester and contribute to a thriving economy. Employers can start their journey with the charter as a supporter, with resources and support available to help them improve their employment practices.
Janet Crofts, Managing Director of Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Board, said: “It is great to see more of our primary care employers becoming members of the charter. In Greater Manchester we are committed to supporting our primary care services and have identified this as a priority in our emerging work on the Primary Care Blueprint Engagement Draft. I’m delighted to congratulate two more GP practices in the city region on achieving member status.
“Recruitment, retention, and education and development are key factors in primary care being recognised as a career destination, and the Good Employment Charter can support all primary care providers to make a commitment to deliver good employment practices.”
For a full list of members, a video congratulating the latest recruits and more information about the Good Employment Charter, please visit their website.
