UNISON is the UK’s largest health union. More than 60,000 UNISON members work in the NHS in Scotland: nurses, student nurses, midwives, health visitors, healthcare assistants, paramedics, occupational therapists, cleaners, porters, catering staff, medical secretaries, clerical and admin staff and scientific and technical staff.
UNISON cares passionately about the future of the NHS as a publicly funded service that is free at the point of delivery. The NHS is a public service we can all be proud of, and UNISON wants to keep it that way.
See also important information for workers registered with regulatory bodies.
Speaking up for Scotland’s health workers
UNISON organisers and activists work together to make sure our members’ concerns are heard – whether it’s about pay, health and safety, discrimination or the future of our NHS.
- Offering advice at work;
- Representing our members in the workplace
- Lobbying parliaments and government on issues our members care about;
- Negotiating terms and conditions for NHS Scotland staff;
- Raising professional and local concerns that affect all health workers.
- Standing up for the NHS and broader health services
Health News
MSP briefing – urgent questions needing answers about public sector reform
The government has announced major structural reform of the public sector, the largest since devolution, but with very few details ... Read More
Ward clerks at Scotland’s largest regional health board win wage increase and back pay, says UNISON
Ward clerks employed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have secured a pay rise following strike action, says UNISON today ... Read More
Public Service Reform Committee: Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2027/28
The Public Service Reform Committee's pre-budget scrutiny inquiry looks at how the 2027/28 budget can support public service reform. This ... Read More
Ward clerks at Scotland’s largest regional health board to strike, says UNISON
Ward clerks employed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde begin a two-day strike tomorrow (Wednesday 5 August) in a dispute ... Read More
Briefing 174 Public Service Reform Update
Public Service Reform (PSR) is the central mission of the newly elected SNP minority government, with the cabinet secretary in ... Read More
Ward clerks at Scotland’s largest regional health board vote to strike, says UNISON
Ward clerks employed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have voted overwhelmingly for strike action in a dispute over pay ... Read More
When 600 workers said no in NHS Forth Valley
How outsourced NHS workers took on Serco and won When Serco attempted to force low-paid NHS workers at Forth Valley ... Read More
Comment on Audit Scotland’s report into the finances of Integrated Joint Boards,
Commenting on Audit Scotland’s report into the finances of Integrated Joint Boards, UNISON Scotland health lead Matt McLaughlin said today (Thursday): ... Read More
Jeane Freeman had formidable understanding of the NHS
Commenting on the news that former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman has died aged 72, UNISON Scotland head of health ... Read More
Inflation figures trigger small pay increase for NHS staff
Commenting on a small rise in pay for NHS staff in Scotland due to an inflation guarantee built into their ... Read More
Latest briefings and submissions
Draft Regulations relating to Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act Set 1 response
As far as we can see there is nothing in these regulations that refer to the Chief Officer of the ...
Briefing 55: Bargaining – Health and social care integration regulations – Set 2
KEY POINTS: These regulations (set 2) implement the Scottish Government’s plans for health and social care integration They prescribe which ...
The cuts don’t work
The impact of ‘austerity’ cuts on Scotland’s public services Lilian Macer, UNISON’s Scottish Convener : “It’s impossible to take this ...
Briefing 53: Bargaining – Health and social care integration regulations – Set 1
KEY POINTS: These regulations implement the Scottish Government’s plans for health and social care integration They prescribe what information must ...
NHS Superannuation Scheme: draft regulations for proposed contribution increases
UNISON is Scotland’s largest healthcare trade union representing over 50,000 members working in NHS Scotland and related services. All of ...
Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill response
UNISON raised a range of concerns in our submission to the 2012 consultation on what was then called the Community ...
More on briefings page