“Make a pledge to make a difference” that is UNISON’s message to its NHS members, as it pledges the union’s backing to NHS Change Day (3 March).
As a social movement started by staff on the frontline in the NHS, the aim of Change Day is to inspire everyone working in the health service to pledge to make one small positive change – whether that’s a paramedic promising to introduce themselves to a patient by name or a porter pledging to greet every patient with a smile.
UNISON, which represents 450,000 health workers including nurses, paramedics, cooks, cleaners, porters occupational therapists, midwives, admin workers and therapists, is calling on members to work together to show that every member of staff makes a difference to every patient.
ChristinaMcAnea, UNISON Head of Health, said:
“UNISON members across the NHS know the importance of teamwork in delivering quality patient care. NHS Change Day is an inspiring idea. It challenges the status quo and gives staff across the NHS the opportunity to think out of the box and come up with pledges that they believe will make a difference.
“Patients can only benefit from a one team ethos, one that values the contribution of allstaff whatever they do and wherever they work in the NHS. That is why we are urging our members to get involved and make a pledge to make a difference.”
Dr Damian Roland, Senior Paediatric Registrar at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and one of the founders of NHS Change Day, said:
“NHS Change Day is about breaking down traditional barriers and recognising that everyone who works in, uses or cares about the NHS has the power to make a difference.
“A single pledge might not sound like much on the face of it, but when hundreds of thousands of people from every part of the NHS join forces with patients to pledge, it can create massive momentum for improvement.”
The first NHS Change Day was in March 2013 and momentum for this year’s event is already growing across the country. More than 200,000 pledges have been registered online, with around half a million expected by 3rd March.
Notes to Editors
Anyone can get involved in NHS Change day to pledge something that will make a difference, no matter how big or small. A pledge can be everyday routine or something extraordinary. Every voice counts and every pledge matters. You can make a pledge until the 31st March. www.changeday.nhs.uk
UNISON pledges support for NHS Change Day
UNISON represents the whole nursing family, including nurses, midwives, health visitors and healthcare assistants.
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