This conference supports the integration of health and social care. Integration is the way forward in order to provide a more efficient service for patients/service users, especially in times of imposed economic austerity. Integration is about ensuring that those who use services get the right care and support, whatever their needs, at any point in […]
Conference motions
Conference notes that since the introduction of AFC in 2004 UNISON members have benefitted from the implementation of a common set of terms and conditions and equality proofed grading structure. The system of job evaluation implemented alongside AFC was delivered in partnership and implemented with employers and trade unions working together to ensure fairness and […]
The fundamental principle to consent for treatment is under threat; the government have asked Dame Carol Black to undertake a review on whether people suffering long term conditions should be deprived of benefits if they don’t accept treatment. The implied threat to mental health patients, is the withdrawing of benefits if they refuse treatment. The […]
Ambulance services are under ever-increasing pressure to balance the books and meet performance targets forcing many staff to leave their jobs through unbearable pressure and stress. Evidence submitted to the NHS Pay Review Body shows the high levels of turn over and retention of ambulance staff creating serious problems for employers. At the same time, […]
Conference notes that with the re-election of the Tories, health minister hunt has announced that for the next four years health workers in the NHS will have their pay restricted to a maximumum of 1 per cent a year. To achieve more than a 1 per cent rise for the lowest paid means other health […]
Conference notes with concern the report from the Office of National Statistics issued in September 2015 that indicates that the number of people working on zero-hours contracts climbed to 744,000 from 624,000 in 2014, a rise of 19% to 2.4% of the total UK workforce of 31 million. Conference is particularly alarmed that the Health […]
Conference is concerned at the distinct lack of training, development and career progression opportunities available to NHS staff working in operational services roles, particularly those in pay bands 1-4. Investment and attention has always been focused on professionally qualified staff but in an NHS with ever changing ways of service delivery, operational services staff need […]
Conference notes that the NHS is employing an increasing number of apprentices. In England for example, there were nearly 15,000 apprentice starts in 2014/15 and Health Education England has set a target for the NHS in England to take on another 17,500 during 2015/16. This figure will increase further following the government’s recent introduction of […]
Conference congratulates the Health Service Group Executive that met in November 2015, for unanimously agreeing its full support for the junior doctors. Conference notes that the motion included the following wording: “UNISON’s Health Service Group Executive (HSGE) gives its full support to the proposed strike action by BMA members over changes to the contracts of […]
Conference reaffirms our belief that health services are best delivered by a public sector workforce directly employed by the NHS. However, the Tory government shows no signs of diverting from its ideological task of privatising health services. Increasing numbers of our members – and potential members – are now working for private companies. Their need […]
Conference reaffirms the fact that discrimination is bad for your health – both physical and mental. Research published by Manchester Business School in 2014 found significantly higher levels of poor mental health amongst lesbian, gay and bisexual workers than non-LGB workers. The highest levels were amongst lesbian and bisexual workers. Research into transgender workers’ experiences […]
Conference believes that moves to seven day operation must be carried out on a case by case basis informed by a robust evidence base. Conference asserts that extending the hours NHS services operate will require additional funding and cannot be achieved from within existing resources. Conference recognises that current Agenda for Change unsocial hours payments […]
Conference notes that professional registration is a topic of great interest to UNISON members working in healthcare. Many of our members are required to be professionally registered to practise their professions. For some members such as healthcare assistants UNISON has long-standing policy aspirations for a statutory registration scheme. For other parts of our membership our […]
Conference notes that mental health services continue to suffer from lack of adequate funding and poor staff to service user ratios. Many service users have been hit by cuts in welfare benefits and other austerity measures. Many staff work extra hours without pay in order to try to keep their services going; they have faced […]
Conference congratulates The Scottish Health Committee in becoming Dementia Friends. A Dementia Friends information session is a free interactive and informative training course that provides you with an understanding of how to interact with people who have dementia. Five key dementia messages are brought to life through a number of activities delivered by trained Dementia […]