Nearly half a million UNISON members work in health care in the NHS and for organisations providing NHS services in all four countries of the UK.
We recognise and defend the rights of all workers in the health service. By working together within UNISON, health care workers are better able to fight for change.
About
Health care service group members include nurses and health care assistants, midwives, ambulance staff, admin workers and many more. Find out how the service group works, the issues we face and some of our achievements.

Key issues
This section is about the key issues affecting people employed by the NHS and organisations providing NHS services. Each key issue explains the facts behind the issue, what UNISON is doing and how you can get involved. You will also find news articles, useful resources and events.

Representing you
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.
Resources
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10 reasons to support the proposed NHS pay deal joint union leaflet – Spanish version
19 April 2018
noneJoint unions leaflet outlining 10 reasons to accept the proposed NHS pay deal. Spanish version.
PDF only -
10 reasons to support the proposed NHS pay deal joint union leaflet – Polish version
19 April 2018
noneJoint unions leaflet outlining 10 reasons to accept the proposed NHS pay deal. Polish version.
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UNISON – have your say on pay leaflet – Spanish version
19 April 2018
noneA5 leaflet in Spanish informing members about the consultation on health pay and telling them how they can take part
PDF only -
UNISON – have your say on pay leaflet – Polish version
19 April 2018
noneA5 leaflet in Polish informing members about the consultation on health pay and telling them how they can take part
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Have your say on pay Poster advertising local meetings
16 April 2018
noneAn A4 poster that can be used to advertise local meetings on NHS pay. There is space to put meeting details.
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Have your say on pay here today A3 poster
16 April 2018
noneA3 poster to use if holding events where members can take part in the online pay ballot
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Have Your Say on Pay We missed you postcard
16 April 2018
noneA postcard for reps to use when doing walkabouts in workplaces to discuss the NHS pay offer. These are specifically designed to be left for colleagues you haven’t been able to speak to – not just put in staff rooms etc
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10 reasons to support the proposed NHS pay deal – joint union leaflet
13 April 2018
none -
UNISON – improving NHS pay. Poster
22 March 2018
noneA UNISON Poster on pay offer for NHS staff in England.
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Joint trade union leaflet on pay
21 March 2018
noneA joint trade union leaflet outlining the proposed three year pay deal for the NHS in England
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UNISON, leading the campaign to improve your NHS pay – leaflet
21 March 2018
noneA UNISON leaflet with details of the proposed pay offer for NHS staff in England
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UNISON – the union for nursing associates – leaflet
21 February 2018
noneA recruitment leaflet for nursing associates. This should be used alongside the Essential Cover recruitment form
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No back door privatisation A5 leaflet
15 January 2018
noneA leaflet to use to campaign against trusts who plan to create private companies to provide estates and facilities services
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NHS is Crisis. 3 February 2018 National demonstration – lealet.
15 January 2018
noneAn A5 one sided flyer advertising the national demonstration and local and regional events on 3 February. This is a pdf only and can be downloaded and distributed or put on noticeboards or emailed out.
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CODP student recruitment postcard 2017
22 August 2017
noneA postcard for branches to use when recruiting ODP students into UNISON/CODP
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Student nurse newsletter 2017
1 August 2017
noneA newsletter for student nurses, mainly first year, but of some interest to second and third year students also.
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Get active and campaigning in UNISON
1 August 2017
noneLeaflet about the importance of students getting involved in UNISON’s campaigns.
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UNISON guide to literature searching for healthcare students
31 July 2017
noneA guide to literature searching aimed at healthcare students to help them develop study and literature searching skills.
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Ask me about my job – Operational services staff. Sticker
23 May 2017
noneAsk me about my job stickers for One Team week 2017. Stickers for operational services staff
Please order number of sheets (15 per sheet) not stickers.
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Ask me about my job – Porter. Sticker.
23 May 2017
noneAsk me about my job stickers for One Team week 2017. Stickers for Porter.
Please order number of sheets (15 per sheet) not stickers.
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sk me about my job – Administrator. Sticker
23 May 2017
noneAsk me about my job stickers for One Team week 2017. Stickers for Administrator
Please order number of sheets (15 per sheet) not stickers.
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Ask me about my job – Domestic. Sticker
23 May 2017
noneAsk me about my job stickers for One Team week 2017. Stickers for Domestic
Please order number of sheets (15 per sheet) not stickers.
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Ask me about my job – Medical Secretary. Sticker
23 May 2017
noneAsk me about my job stickers for One Team week 2017. Stickers for Medical Secretary
Please order number of sheets (15 per sheet) not stickers.
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Ask me about my job – Receptionist. Sticker
23 May 2017
noneAsk me about my job stickers for One Team week 2017. Stickers for receptionist staff
Please order number of sheets (15 per sheet) not stickers.
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One team T Shirt (XXL)
15 May 2017
noneWhite t shirts highlighting UNISON’s One Team for patient care campaign. Available in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. Order limit 10 per branch.
Each size has its own specific ordering stock number. Please browse the catalogue for ordering other sizes with their relevant stock numbers. -
One Team T Shirt (XL)
15 May 2017
noneWhite t shirts highlighting UNISON’s One Team for patient care campaign. Available in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. Order limit 10 per branch.
Each size has its own specific ordering stock number. Please browse the catalogue for ordering other sizes with their relevant stock numbers. -
One Team TShirt (Medium)
15 May 2017
noneWhite t shirts highlighting UNISON’s One Team for patient care campaign. Available in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. Order limit 10 per branch.
Each size has its own specific ordering stock number. Please browse the catalogue for ordering other sizes with their relevant stock numbers. -
One Team t shirts (Small)
15 May 2017
noneWhite t shirts highlighting UNISON’s One Team for patient care campaign. Available in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. Order limit 10 per branch.
Each size has its own specific ordering stock number. Please browse the catalogue for ordering other sizes with their relevant stock numbers. -
UNISON Consultation Response to Mental Health Guidance
3 May 2017
none -
UNISON Consultation Response to District Nursing Guidance
3 May 2017
none -
Ratios not Rationing full report
28 April 2017
none -
Ratios Not Rationing summary
24 April 2017
none -
Mental Health Matters UNISON and Mind working together to support the mental health of emergency workers – booklet
5 April 2017
noneA guide for workers in the emergency services to help them deal with a mental health problems or support colleagues. It could also be useful to UNISON reps outside police and ambulance services.
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We’re celebrating NHS support staff – leaflet
27 March 2017
noneUNISON health branches up and down the country are going to be celebrating NHS support staff by holding One Team For Patient Care events in June. Get involved!
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Seven day services guidance for STAT reps
10 March 2017
noneUNISON has produced guidance for our science, therapies and technical (STAT) reps faced with extension of operating hours as part of government moves towards greater 24/7 working in the NHS. The guidance stresses the need for careful testing of the evidence base for extending hours, and warns that extending services requires additional funding and close involvement of staff and their union reps before any decisions are made.
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Join UNISON on the march for the NHS
15 February 2017
noneAn A5 leaflet advertising the NHS demo on 4 March 2017.
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UNISON Consultation Response to NHSI Acute Guidance
6 February 2017
none -
UNISON Consultation Response to NHSI LDS Guidance
6 February 2017
none -
Don’t pull the ladder up behind you. NHS bursary leaflet
18 January 2017
noneAn A5 leaflet aimed at the spring 2017 intake of health students urging them to get involved in the campaign over future funding for health students.
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The Florence Nightingale Foundation Annual Conference 2017
30 November 2016
noneThe must attend conference of 2017 for all nurses,
midwives and healthcare professionals -
Be a pioneer with UNISON Taking on the new nursing associate role
24 November 2016
noneA leaflet aimed at members in those branches where there are pilot nursing associate scheme who are going to be a nursing associate trainee. Please don’t order these if you are not in a pilot scheme.
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NHS Agenda For Change Pay Rates Scotland 2016/17
11 November 2016
none -
NHS Agenda for Change Pay Rates Wales 2016-17
11 November 2016
none -
NHS Agenda for Change Pay Rates Northern Ireland 2016-17
11 November 2016
none -
NHS Agenda for Change Pay Rates England 2016-17
11 November 2016
none -
Important changes to rules on lapsed NMC registration
26 October 2016
none -
STPs – UNISON briefing
24 October 2016
noneThis is UNISON’s briefing on the NHS sustainability and transformation plans that was sent to all MPs in England.
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In the Red: Student Nurse Debt
21 October 2016
noneA UNISON report and survey on Student nurse hardship
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Agenda for fairness and quality: A negotiators’ guide to apprenticeships in the NHS
18 October 2016
noneUNISON has published a detailed new negotiators’ guide to apprenticeships in the NHS. It provides practical advice on getting apprenticeships on the agenda for partnership working, negotiating on pay and conditions, ensuring quality provision, and how to recruit and organise apprentice
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Care on the Cheap
7 October 2016
noneFull report of a UNISON survey of clinical support workers
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Care on the cheap. UNISON survey of clinical support workers Summary report
7 October 2016
noneThe summary of the survey of UNISON members working in health who are clinical support workers.
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Care on the Cheap – summary
21 September 2016
noneSummary findings of a UNISON survey of clinical support workers
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Don’t miss out! Leaflet for students in ambulance sector
31 August 2016
noneA5 leaflet aimed at recruiting student members in the ambulance sector. Should be used alongside the Essential Cover for students recruitment form.
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UNISON response to Department of Health consultation midwifery rules and fitness to practice
5 July 2016
noneUNISON response to Department of Health consultation; The Nursing and Midwifery Council – amendments to modernise midwifery regulation and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of fitness to practise processes.
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UNISON response to reforming healthcare education funding consultation
5 July 2016
noneUNISON is calling on the government to think again, to pause the current consultation process and commit to working with us and others for a more effective education funding system for healthcare students. Consultation response includes appendices from London Economics: 1) The Impact of the 2015 Comprehensive Spending Review on Higher Education Fees and Funding Arrangements in Subjects Allied to Medicine 2) Economic analysis of Higher Education fees and funding in the health professions
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Safe Staffing Levels 2016
24 April 2016
none -
Time to talk about pay – responding to the NHS pay award 2016-17
18 March 2016
noneGuidance for branches consulting members on 2016-17 pay award. Full resources have been emailed to branch secretaries and stewards
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UNISON Student Nursing Summit Programme
18 January 2016
noneUNISON Student Nursing Summit Programme
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Advice for UNISON members working in the NHS during the period of industrial action and action short of strike action by Junior Doctors
12 January 2016
noneAdvice for UNISON members working in the NHS during the period of industrial action and action short of strike action by Junior Doctors
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*NEW* UNISON briefing on the cuts to student bursaries in the NHS
27 November 2015
noneRead the new briefing from UNISON on the cuts to student bursaries in the NHS
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PSU Bulletin – May 2015
26 November 2015
none -
UNISON evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body 2016-17
25 November 2015
noneThis is UNISON’s evidence given to the NHS Pay Review Body for 2016-17.
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Staff Side Evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body 2016-17
25 November 2015
noneThe NHS trade unions’ submission to the Pay Review Body for the 2016/17 pay round.
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Recruitment and retention of ambulance staff PRB November 2015
24 November 2015
noneUNISON, Unite and GMB publish their evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body on paramedic retention
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NMC revalidation – guidance for UNISON members
17 November 2015
noneEverything nurses and midwives need to know about NMC revalidation. Updated April 2016
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One team – for patient care. Campaign postcard.
5 October 2015
noneA postcard highlighting the role that support staff play in the NHS and how they are all part of one team caring for patients. This card is aimed at patients and the public and asks them to be a support of all NHS staff and find out more about UNISON”s campaign
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One team – for patient care A5 campaign leaflet aimed at members
5 October 2015
noneOne team – caring for patients. An A5 leaflet aimed at members and potential members highlighting the role that all health staff play in caring for patients
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Undervalued, overwhelmed – UNISON NHS staff report
30 September 2015
noneSurvey of 10,589 members working in the NHS reveals a workforce struggling financially and in the face of chronic understaffing and mounting pressure
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Jeremy Hunt – Transfer of Services from NHSE to Capita (2)
10 July 2015
noneUNISON national secretary Christina McAnea’s letter to the Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt asking him not to allow the award of a huge contract to Capita
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Everything you wanted to know about NMC revalidation
9 July 2015
noneA poster branches can use to advertise meetings about NMC revalidation for nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants
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Consultation on support for postgraduate study
3 July 2015
noneUNISON’s response to the BIS consultation on support for postgraduate study
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Hot weather conditions guidance for healthcare workers
3 July 2015
noneThis guidance is intended to help UNISON members working within healthcare during the heatwave
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HC-055-15 revalidation FAQs
1 July 2015
noneFrequently asked questions regarding NMC revalidation
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Revalidation presentation (PowerPoint)
1 July 2015
noneA presentation on NMC revalidation for branches to deliver to members Updated March 2016
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HC-055-15 revalidation branch checklist
1 July 2015
noneA checklist for branches regarding NMC revalidation
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HCPC Consultation on registration fees increase: UNISON response
6 May 2015
noneUNISON response to HCPC consultation for a 12.5% registration fee hike brands it unacceptable and a ‘stealth tax’
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Introducing the Care Certificate: a UNISON guide
21 April 2015
noneNew branch guide on the Care Certificate. Contains information about the certificate, and bargaining, organising and recruitment advice
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Red Alert – Unsafe Staffing Levels Rising
14 April 2015
noneUNISON’s safe staffing level report.
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Partnership Pledge Action Plan
13 March 2015
noneHealth Education England Talent for Care: partnership pledge action plan March 2015
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UNISON health annual report 2015
4 March 2015
noneAnnual report of the UNISON health care service group
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Use of surveillance in health and care settings: Guidance for UNISON representatives
2 March 2015
noneThis guidance covers what to do if cameras are installed by providers, or worried relatives, to monitor care
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Signed joint statement in support of the Law Commission Bill
29 January 2015
noneA joint statement calling on political leaders to commit to bringing forward a bill reforming health care professional regulation
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UNISON Safe Staffing Level Survey Guidance 2015
28 January 2015
none -
Nursing sector e-newsletter: January 2015
19 January 2015
noneKeep up to date with the latest information on nursing at UNISON
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Nursing sector e-newsletter – December 2014
16 December 2014
noneKeep up to date with the latest information on nursing at UNISON.
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Nursing sector e-newsletter – November 2014
18 November 2014
noneKeep up to date with the latest information on nursing at UNISON.
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Ebola: what staff need to know
10 November 2014
noneGuidance to help branches in local discussions with employers. We must stress that the risk in the UK is low however, all NHS orgaisations, irrespective of their role, should have contingency plans in place.
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Student Nurse Newsletter 2014
21 August 2014
noneA newsletter for UNISON student members, mainly first years, but of some interest to second and third year students also.
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UNISON members with the 999 call for the NHS banner
18 August 2014
none -
UNISON’s professional indemnity leaflet
30 July 2014
noneUNISON indemnity insurance A5 leaflet outlining the comprehensive package of cover UNISON offers its healthcare members
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5 June 2014
noneUNISON members at St Thomas Hospital in London join in NHS Protest Day
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Credit union promo leaflet
14 April 2014
noneFor use in branches working with credit unions
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Promoting credit unions and campaigning around high cost credit – branch guide
14 April 2014
noneAdvice for branches about how they can promote credit unions and campaign on high cost credit.
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UNISON staffing survey 2014 – NHS staff stretched to the limit
14 April 2014
noneA report which highlights the nursing staffing levels on our wards on one day in March 2014. This updates the previous version which covered 2013.
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NHS pay key issue header
31 March 2014
none -
Science, Therapy and Technical Matters: Spring 2014
26 March 2014
noneAn A4 newsletter for health members in the science, technical and therapy occupational group
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Professional indemnity cover for health staff
5 February 2014
noneFactsheet setting out details of UNISON’s indemnity scheme
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It’s just good care
19 November 2013
noneInformation and good practice guide to help health staff provide trans people with respectful and appropriate care. Jointly produced by UNISON and Gender Identity Research and Education Society, GIRES
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Francis UNISON response Nov 2013
7 November 2013
noneUNISON’s formal response to the Francis Report – November 2013
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UNISON Submission to the NHS Pay Review Body 2014-15
24 September 2013
noneUNISON evidence submission to the NHS Pay Review Body 2014-15 for public website