Conference notes the hard work of the union in campaigning and working in partnership with NHS employers, the Department of Health, Skills for Health to improve training and make development opportunities available for NHS staff, particularly staff on lower bands, have paid off. Last year through partnership working the Social Partnership Forum Learning for Life […]
Conference motions
Conference notes that mental health accounts for 23% of the total burden of disease, yet receives only 13% of NHS health expenditure. It is predictable that in a recession, demand for mental health services rises, as the impact of austerity and welfare reforms, rising unemployment and increase in cost of living has a detrimental impact […]
Conference believes that all health staff, regardless of their job role, play an important role in caring for patients. All NHS staff are part of one team delivering quality healthcare that puts patients first. Conference notes that our NHS operational services staff continue to bear the brunt of the cuts with figures showing that since […]
Conference notes with concern that an increasing number of employers are not using the Agenda for Change Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) on which to base their appraisal schemes, but are opting for alternative methodologies. This has particularly come to light following the changes to the Agenda for Change contract in England, which has required […]
Conference notes that the difference between the highest and lowest paid is increasing year on year. Each year the pay divide gets greater and our members feel that the cost of living increase is no longer fit for purpose. An increase of just 1% each year is actually a decrease in real terms, as the […]
The public sector cuts, austerity measures, top down reorganisations and increasing privatisation in the NHS have had an unprecedented negative impact on NHS employees, with increasing numbers leaving the NHS to escape from bullying, harassment, intimidation and fear. Those who are left in the workplace are experiencing an increase in stress as work pressures mount […]
Conference notes the significant contribution that staff working in Science, Technical and Therapy roles provide to the whole person care of patients in the NHS. UNISON organises staff within Science, Technical and Therapy roles into an occupational group which has the role of informing Service Group Executive policy and speaking on behalf of all members […]
In light of the Francis, Keogh and Berwick reports, this Conference calls upon the Health Service Group Executive to work with regions, utilising ‘The Safety in Numbers Campaign’, to campaign for mandatory safe staffing levels. The campaign should involve actively lobbying of UK and devolved Governments to instruct Health Boards to ensure that safe-achievable staffing […]
Conference notes that UNISON has done much good work to defend the jobs, and terms and conditions of members in the National Health Service (NHS), through national and local negotiations, as well as campaigning to defend the NHS itself. Conference further notes that it is the public service nature of the NHS which has been […]
Conference notes that a recent Freedom of Information request showed that 50 out of 251 GP board members (20%) held a financial stake in a provider – other than their practice – which is currently contracted by the CCG. Some 31 CCGs declined to say whether providers, in which board members had interests, were currently […]
Conference calls on the Westminster Government and the three devolved administrations to recognise and accept their responsibility for providing a quality, safe and healthy food environment for its patients, staff and visitors. It is further recognised that when a patient is recuperating, food is often a make or break experience in terms of morale during […]
Conference notes with concern the impact that staffing shortages in the NHS are having on workers’ lives. In particular, staffing shortages can impact on: 1)Flexible working requests not being accommodated by employers. 2)Staff with existing non-standard working patterns being pressurised into changing their working hours, which could create problems with care arrangements and other home […]
Students in the healthcare professions put a lot of time and effort into working with patients and directly contribute to the NHS during their studies, which is why UNISON is rightly proud of our Pay not Poverty Campaign for Student Nurses. UNISON has also led the calls for a Living Wage for all workers, making […]
Over 30,000 jobs have been lost in the NHS since the current government took office and at the same time, they have put in place a pay freeze for NHS staff between 2011 and 2013, and following on from that, caps on any pay award in the public sector at an average of 1% increase […]
Conference notes that the coalition government has increased the financial pressure on health organisations. Cuts that were earmarked for 2015/2016 have been brought forward so that the health economy now has to make a further £500 million in saving in 2014/15 on top of the savings already demanded. It is likely that Trusts and other […]