NHS Pensions has noted an increase in requests for Special Class and Mental Health Officer status for members who are working for CCGs.
Special Class and Mental Health Officer status is primarily for members of staff who are engaged in the hands on care and treatment of patients. In certain circumstances the status can be retained where a member of the Scheme moves into a management role within the relevant service or field of expertise.
- For more information about Special Class please read the factsheet ‘Special Class status factsheet (1995 Section only).’ CCGs must take special notice of the sections ‘Which grades make up the special classes?’ and ‘Retention of Special Class status’.
Please note, an individual’s continued registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council does not automatically qualify a member for Special Class status.
- For more information about Mental Health Officer status please read the factsheet ‘Mental Health Officer (MHO) status (1995 Section only).’ CCGs must take special notice of the section ‘Retention of Mental Health Officer status.’
NHS Pensions understands that CCGs are mainly involved in the commissioning of services from other providers and are not directly involved in the actual care and treatment of patients i.e. they do not directly administer wards, homes, clinics, etc. or employ staff who work in such places, which would mean that CCGs do not employ staff to care and treat patients. Therefore, as a general rule, NHS Pensions expects that the majority of CCG employees will have a capacity code 04 i.e. individuals employed in an administrative capacity and not 01 (nurse) or 03 (medical).
CCGs must check the Special Class or Mental Health Officer status of any current or former members of staff to ensure their pension record reflects their correct Special Class or Mental Health Officer status position.
Should there be any doubt that a member may be able to retain either Special Class or Mental Health Officer status then the CCG must refer the case to NHS Pensions and any applications for retention must include:
- the current job description, person specification and organisational chart, and
- a copy of the previous job description.
If any current or former member of staff does not retain their Special Class or Mental Health Officer status the CCG must inform NHS Pensions of the amendment and the individual, if a current address is available, of the decision immediately.