UNISON and Healthcare

UNISON is the UK's largest healthcare trade union - over 400,000 people who work in the NHS and for private contractors providing NHS services are UNISON members.

Our health members are nurses, student nurses, midwives, health visitors, healthcare assistants, paramedics, cleaners, porters, catering staff, medical secretaries, clerical and admin staff and scientific and technical staff.

And that's not all of us!

UNISON is a powerful voice for working people in the United Kingdom. We have over 1.3 million members working in public services, the community and voluntary sector and for private companies.

Looking after people at work

We represent our members in many ways, offering help and advice at work, raising your professional/local concerns or by highlighting issues that will affect all health workers at a national level. We work together to make sure our members' concerns are heard - whether it’s about pay, health and safety, discrimination or the future of our NHS.

Looking after the NHS

But there is more to UNISON than looking after people at work. We care passionately about the future of the NHS as a publicly funded service that is free at the point of delivery. This makes campaigning to stop the increasing involvement of the private sector in the provision of health care services a priority for us.

(1/09/10) The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) will replace the Royal Pharmaceutical Soceity of Great Britain (RPSGB) as the regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharamacy premises during 2010.

The GPhP is seeking views in a consultation on fees. Here's our response : GphC fee consultation 2010 PTB.pdf

(10/08/2010) UNISON has serious concerns that the government's push to increase the number of social enterprises  in primary care will lead to increased fragmentation and privatisation. New factsheets are now available outlining the key concerns including risks to staff pensions and NHS terms & conditions.

Whatever you’re studying we're there to support you. If you have difficulties with a placement, a problem with an assignment, or need our advice about a professional issue, UNISON is on hand to help.

(20/08/2010) UNISON has developed a range of guidance briefings and campaigning materials to assist activists and members to understand and influence the Transforming Community Services programme in your workplace.

The NHS Staff Council Sub Group on Health & Safety (called POSHH) has agreed advice on the implementation of the European Council Directive on preventing sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector (click here to view).

(20/07/2010) On 12 July, the government published its new white paper for the NHS in England, entitled Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS. The document represents a major upheaval for the health service and UNISON has identified several significant areas of concern.