Hospital staff paying ‘extortionate’ charges to park at work, says UNISON

Some hospitals are charging NHS staff, including low-waged nurses and porters, ‘extortionate’ fees of nearly £100 a month to park, says UNISON today (Wednesday). The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top chargers with full-time staff paying £85.38 a month to park at the Royal Free Hospital site. Others include the […]

Jon Ashworth, Shadow health secretary

UNISON responds to Labour’s pledge for NHS staff

Photo: Jon Ashworth, shadow health secretary. Photo: Jenny Harvey – @Jenksy Responding to Labour’s NHS election pledge, announced by shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth (Wednesday) in Liverpool – at UNISON’s annual health conference – UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “NHS staff give one hundred per cent day in, day out with many doing life-saving work. […]

NHS employers tempted to view apprentices as ‘cheap labour’, warns UNISON

Union will seek to use Agenda for Change to protect apprentice pay and conditions

‘The fight’s not over’ in campaign to save NHS bursaries

UNISON health delegates hear moving proof of the value of the bursary for student nurses

Dave Prenits at the rostrum speaking to UNISON health delegates in Liverpool

‘Six weeks to save the NHS’, says Prentis

UNISON health conference told: ‘We must put the health service centre stage in the general election’

Dave Prentis speaking at UNISON Conference

Don’t trust the Conservatives with the NHS, says UNISON general secretary

‘With the election just over six weeks away, the NHS needs those who have the will, the spirit and the dedication to fight for it, and to save it,’ Dave Prentis tells health conference

Patients still at risk from chronic nurse understaffing, says UNISON

Chronic understaffing across the NHS is putting patient lives at risk, according to UNISON’s UK-wide annual survey of nurses published today (Monday) at the start of its health conference in Liverpool. The 2017 survey found that the situation has not improved over the last 12 months. Almost two-thirds (63%) of respondents still saying wards are […]

Long-term planning essential for the future health of the NHS, says UNISON

Responding to the House of Lords report on the long term sustainability of the NHS, UNISON head of health Christina McAnea said: “The committee is right to say the NHS should be funded by the taxpayer and remain free at the point of delivery. “This is a damning but sadly accurate analysis of the state […]

Five-year plans must have proper funding to succeed, says UNISON

Commenting on the publication of NHS England’s update on its five-year plan for the NHS, UNISON head of health Christina McAnea said: “The health service consistently delivers for patients – often in very challenging circumstances. This plan acknowledges that and the huge contribution of staff in making the NHS such a success. “Now it’s over […]

NHS staff are giving 100%, but getting just 1% in return, says UNISON

Commenting on the announcement from the NHS pay review body (PRB) today (Tuesday), UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Health service employees go above and beyond caring for patients and keeping the health service running – often in very challenging circumstances. “The government insists it values them, but after endless pay freezes and wage caps, […]

Latest NHS pay award is ‘derisory’, say health unions

Commenting on the announcement today (Tuesday) from the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) of its proposals for 2017/18, Christina McAnea, the spokesperson for unions representing staff working in the NHS, and head of health at UNISON, said: “This deal amounts to less than £5 a week for most midwives, nurses, cleaners, paramedics, radiographers and other healthcare staff. “It’s a derisory […]

UNISON wins £70,000 pay-out for hospital cleaners

22 union members in Torquay receive damages after being made sick by hazardous chemical disinfectant

Sterilisation staff win pay rise after two-month dispute

Welsh health board offers increases of up to £1,900 a year after strike by staff paid less than colleagues working for neighbouring boards

UNISON’s response to the Budget

Commenting on the Spring Budget today (Wednesday) UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: On pay “For almost a decade nurses, teaching assistants, town hall staff and others in the public sector have had their wages frozen or been given minuscule pay rises. “These are the people keeping the NHS, schools and local communities afloat in […]

UNISON members join London march for the NHS

Now is its time of need: the NHS needs us and we cannot be found wanting, vice-president Carol Sewell tells demonstration