Conference notes that UNISON branches have been dealing with the effects of staffing shortages for years but over the last 2 years there have been massive shortages of registered nurses across all specialties. This puts patient care at risk Conference believes that there is an urgent need for more registered nursing staff. Given that there […]
Conference motions
NHS organisations should be reducing their carbon footprint as part of the NHS commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040. The NHS accounts for 5% of the UKs total amount emissions, with 14% of this being made up of emissions caused by travel. At the same time, the cost of motoring is at […]
Conference underlines the critical importance of delivering 2022-23 pay outcomes for health workers across the UK that meet the aspirations of our members and the needs of the service. Conference re-affirms the respective responsibilities of the Health Service Group Executive (HSGE) and the relevant Regional Health Committees (RHCs) in the devolved administrations to ensure that […]
In 2021, the UN’s COP 26 event in Glasgow brought focus to the global challenge of climate change. Conference notes the launch of UNISON’s report Getting to net zero in UK public services: The road to decarbonisation on 8 November 2021 and health branches’ ongoing involvement in the accompanying consultation. We look forward to engaging […]
Conference is alarmed by the force with which Black communities have been hit by the pandemic and how this has highlighted the long-term impact of racism on people’s physical and mental health, leaving them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Conference welcomes the union’s Race for Equality campaign that has provided materials for and equipped branches to […]
Conference notes that the Workplace Disability Equality Standard is a list of ten metrics which measure the extent to which health Trusts in England deliver disability equality in the workplace. The first WDES report, covering 2019, was published in March 2020. The second WDES report, covering 2020, was significantly delayed and was not published until […]
Conference notes that the OneTeam2k pay campaign shone a spotlight on the many issues and complications with the Pay Review Body as a way of determining the annual pay increase in the NHS. By the time we debate this motion at health conference 2022, UNISON’s Pay Determination discussion document will be launched, setting out the […]
Conference notes that in the decade leading up to the pandemic UNISON was vocal about the lack of investment in staff and services and the consequences that cuts would have on them. Our regular staffing survey documented the growing concerns about shortages among many health occupations and settings. So while the pandemic may serve as […]
Conference notes the work led by UNISON in all four administrations on flexible working including negotiating improved handbook provisions; negotiating updates to local flexible working policies; promoting workplace cultural change; and supporting members to access their rights. Conference commends the composite passed at special health conference in September 2021 which highlighted the crucial role that […]
Administrative and clerical staff are at the heart of making the NHS effective, efficient, and friendly. But for many years admin staff have been under attack. Some staff have had vital tasks removed from their job descriptions, resulting in downbanding, others have taken on more responsibility or skills but have not seen their pay increase […]
Conference is concerned that even before the COVID-19 pandemic the growing pressures on the NHS from the Tory-led government’s unrealistic targets and cuts, growing staff shortages and growing pressure on individual NHS staff members from the cumulative impact of austerity and the pandemic has taken us to breaking point. Despite the continued efforts of our […]
Conference is deeply concerned by the race to the bottom approach that is being taken across the country around pay and conditions for NHS bank work. Although, it is not the solution to the ever-growing staff crisis in the NHS, it is recognised that the flexibility that bank working arrangements provides is beneficial to some […]
Just and Restorative Culture is an employer initiative being rolled out through NHS England, focused around resolving cases at the informal level and reducing stress for those involved. The basic idea around Just Culture is to focus on the wider, systemic issues as opposed to the individuals. It began as a way of approaching patient […]
Conference notes that the NHS employs over 1.3 million staff who are not professionally registered. They are valuable and necessary to the provision of safe patient care. “Nursing, midwifery and care staff, working as part of wider multidisciplinary teams, play a critical role in securing high quality care and excellent outcomes for patients” (Excerpt from […]
This conference believes that Freedom to Speak up policies and guardians in the NHS is a positive step toward improving quality and transparency within the NHS. Recent cases in private care homes and hospitals demonstrate that there is a need for similar roles and processes to be rolled out in the private sector that is […]