Nearly half a million UNISON members work in health care in the NHS and for organisations providing NHS services across the UK.
We promote and defend the rights of all workers in the health service.

The big issues
UNISON has almost half a million members working for the NHS across the UK. Find out more about the big issues affecting their working lives.
Read about our current campaigns and get advice about problems at work.

Representing you
We are the UK’s largest health union. We represent the whole NHS and health care team. Our members include: nurses, paramedics, cleaners, porters, midwives, pharmacy technicians, ODPs, healthcare students, security staff, healthcare scientists, healthcare assistants, physicians’ associates, catering staff, IT staff, admin and clerical staff, and many more
Resources
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Peer support ‘lived experience’ workers branch guidance
24 December 2024
noneGuidance for branches on recruiting and representing peer support and lived experience workers in the NHS.
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UNISON the union for peer support workers – leaflet
24 December 2024
noneUNISON the union for peer support workers – recruitment leaflet
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Online training for peer support and lived experience workers
18 December 2024
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Face to face training for peer support and lived experience workers
18 December 2024
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Reporting staffing concerns
7 August 2024
noneThis guide for nurses, midwives and nursing associates aims to empower members to raise staffing concerns safely and effectively
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Physician associates & anaesthesia associates recruitment leaflet
22 July 2024
noneLeaflet to help recruit physician associates and anaesthesia associates
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371_dont miss out_odp
1 July 2024
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370_The_uion_for_Family_Leaflet
1 July 2024
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369_The_union_for_Registered_Nurses
1 July 2024
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372_Health_students_card_TRAVEL_COSTS-1
11 June 2024
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373_Health_students_card_ACCOMM_COSTS_MASTER-1
11 June 2024
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Health students newsletter Summer 2024
11 June 2024
noneA newsletter for health students – Summer 2024.
To be ordered by health student organisers only – maximum order 1,000 per region please -
NHS pay sticker
2 April 2024
noneOrder stickers to use with the NHS pay leaflets (stock number 4568) to inject urgency and encourage members in England to vote in the consultation.
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Put NHS Pay Right poster (England 2024)
20 February 2024
noneDownload and print this workplace poster to help members in England understand UNISON’s position on pay for 2024 and encourage them to join the fight to put NHS pay right.
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Put NHS Pay Right leaflet (England 2024)
20 February 2024
noneOrder leaflets to help members in England understand UNISON’s position on pay for 2024 and encourage them to join the fight to put NHS pay right.
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Our pay, our say – plotting a course to collective bargaining on NHS pay rises
6 January 2023
noneThis report sets out the results of the Health Service Group Executive’s (HSGE) 2022 consultation on UNISON’s policy for how annual pay rises should be determined in the NHS.
Branches can order up to 5 copies only
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Supporting nurses from overseas – Branch guide
26 August 2022
noneThis guide is intended to support UNISON branches who may be unfamiliar with some of the issues that arise when supporting nurses from overseas. The information is relevant for nurses working in social care, private companies and the NHS.
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UNISON’s professional Indemnity for health workers. Updated August 2022
16 August 2022
noneA revised version of the guide to UNISON’s professional indemnity cover for health workers. This has been updated in August 2022. Available as a PDF download only.
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Put NHS pay right for us2 – Sticker
22 June 2022
nonePut NHS pay right for Us2. Stickers.
50 mm circular stickers in purple and green.
15 stickers per sheet – please order by number of sheets and not individual stickers. There is a limit of maximum of 10 sheets per branch.
Available from 30 June 2022. -
Invest in our future. NHS pay sticker 5.
5 April 2022
noneInvest in our future. NHS pay 50mm circular stickers.
There are 15 stickers per sheet. Please order by number of sheets required and not individual stickers. Maximum order per branch 20 sheets. -
Pay the hours we work. NHS pay sticker 4.
5 April 2022
nonePay the hours we work. NHS pay 50mm circular stickers.
There are 15 stickers per sheet. Please order by number of sheets required and not individual stickers. Maximum order per branch 20 sheets. -
Grade us right. NHS pay sticker 3.
5 April 2022
noneGrade us right. NHS 50mm circular stickers.
There are 15 stickers per sheet. Please order by number of sheets required and not individual stickers. Maximum order per branch 20 sheets. -
End poverty pay. NHS pay sticker 2.
5 April 2022
noneEnd NHS poverty pay – 50mm circular stickers.
There are 15 stickers per sheet. Please order by number of sheets required and not individual stickers. Maximum order per branch 20 sheets. -
Put NHS pay right. Sticker 1
5 April 2022
nonePut NHS pay right – 50mm circular stickers.
There are 15 stickers per sheet. Please order by number of sheets required and not individual stickers. Maximum order per branch 20 sheets. -
Pay Fair for Patient Care -A1 photo frame.
1 March 2022
nonePay Fair for Patient Care -A1 photo frame.
This large photo frame will need to be printed out by large format printers local to you onto thick board or foamex board or similar.
Use at any local events for photo opportunities. -
Pay Fair for Patient Care -A3 photo frame.
1 March 2022
nonePay Fair for Patient Care -A3 photo frame.
Download pdf and print out photo frame for local events for photo opportunities. -
Pay Fair for Patient Care -A4 photo frame.
1 March 2022
nonePay Fair for Patient Care -A4 photo frame.
Download pdf and print out photo frame for local events for photo opportunities. -
Temporary register – overseas nurses. January 2022
5 January 2022
noneThis update provides information and guidance for overseas nurses who may be considering joining the NMC Temporary register in response to Covid-19. It covers essential advice and sources of useful support.
Available in pdf download only. -
Nursing Associates Revalidation leaflet
24 November 2021
noneThe role of a Nursing Associate is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). In the same way as both Nurses and Midwives, Nursing Associates must complete the NMC’s revalidation process to demonstrate competence and to continue their registration and practice. Leaflet available as a PDF download only.
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Graduating – stay supported in UNISON – leaflet
28 June 2021
noneA leaflet to encourage health student members to update their details so that they retain member benefits when they graduate.
Please note: Can only be ordered by student recruitment officers in regions. Max. 500 per region. -
Overseas nurses recruitment leaflet
31 March 2021
noneA leaflet to recruit overseas nurses into UNISON.
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Step by step guide to the new NHS pay progression process
8 March 2021
noneStep by step guide to the new NHS pay progression process – including tips on how to get the best out of the process. Available as a PDF download.
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The temporary register – guidance for overseas nurses. January 2021.
6 January 2021
noneThis information is for nurses from overseas who are considering joining the temporary NMC register in response to COVID-19.
Available as a download pdf only. -
It’s not part of the job – poster
4 December 2020
noneA4 poster highlighting NHS staff experiencing physical violence and aggression in the workplace.
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Healthcare students – poster
3 December 2020
noneA4 poster advertising the benefits of student membership of UNISON.
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Menstruation dignity for patients in mental health care A guide for UNISON health branches.
27 February 2020
noneA guide for UNISON branches that calls for menstruation dignity for inpatients in a mental health setting. Available as PDF download only.
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UNISON – the union for assistant practitioners – leaflet
29 January 2020
noneA recruitment leaflet aimed at assistant practitioners in health.
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Apprenticeships in health – The experience of UNISON members.
25 February 2019
noneA short guide exploring the experiences of UNISON apprentice members working in various roles across the Health sector. Branches should use this tool to support open discussions with existing staff, about apprenticeship routes into roles. Available pdf download only.
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Getting it right – are you being charged for your DBS check?
25 February 2019
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UNISON – the union for paramedics. Leaflet
11 October 2018
noneAn A5 leaflet outlining why UNISON is the union for paramedics. Can be used to recruit paramedics.
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UNISON – the union for all ambulance staff. Leaflet
11 October 2018
noneAn A5 leaflet outlining why UNISON is the union for all ambulance staff. Can be used for recruitment and at recruitment events.
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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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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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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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PSU Bulletin – May 2015
26 November 2015
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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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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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Joint Staff Side Submission to the Working Longer Review
17 September 2013
noneThis submission to the Working Longer Review was submitted jointly by the NHS trade unions.
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UNISON Submission to the Working Longer Review 2013
17 September 2013
noneUNISON’s submission to the Working Longer Review, Sept 2013.
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Changes to unsocial hours payments
22 July 2013
noneAmbulance pay leaflet
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NHS staff council proposed annex E changes
22 July 2013
noneThis report provides information on proposals to change Annex E of Agenda for Change
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NHS staff council FAQs on annex E proposals
22 July 2013
noneThis report provides detailed information on how proposed changes to Annex E will effect ambulance staff