Health

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

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

UNISON Scotland budget response: A budget that fails public services, says UNISON

UNISON's Scottish secretary Lilian Macer said: "Today’s Scottish budget does not go far enough to address the deepening crisis across ... Read More

Response to Audit Scotland’s report into delayed discharges

Commenting on the Auditor General and Accounts Commission report ‘Delayed Discharges: A sign of Wider Challenges in Health and Social ... Read More

Political manoeuvring will not fix the NHS in Scotland, says UNISON

Thursday 13 November 2025 For immediate release Political manoeuvring will not fix the NHS in Scotland, says UNISON Commenting on ... Read More

Briefing 168 – Population challenges for public services and the economy

This briefing looks at the implications of current and projected demographic change.  It summarises recent publications from the Improvement Service ... Read More

Glasgow nurses vote to strike in pay banding dispute, say UNISON

Nurses in greater Glasgow, who provide essential medical services to patients in their homes, have voted overwhelmingly (96%) to strike in a dispute ... Read More

Briefing 165 – Scottish Government Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan

The Scottish Government has published it's Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan. The aim of the document is to provide some detail ... Read More

Moving to monthly pay will cause hundreds of low-paid NHS staff to fall into debt and hardship, says UNISON

Around 600 NHS staff could be forced to take out loans to make ends meet if their employer switches from ... Read More

Latest briefings and submissions

Inquiry into regulation of care for older people

Inquiry into regulation of care for older people
UNISON Scotland believes a major mistake in the provision care of the elderly was to allow profit to be part ...
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Care Integration statement

Care Integration statement
This statement covers UNISON Scotland’s initial response to proposals for the integration of care services in Scotland either through a ...
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Social Care Procurement Guidelines

Social Care Procurement Guidelines
UNISON Scotland welcomes the publication of Guidelines on social care procurement and can support some aspects of them. However, we ...
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More on briefings page