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
New way forward for NHS pay agreed – “Now Scottish Government must deliver” says UNISON
Negotiators for the NHS trade union UNISON have today signed off four papers with NHS bosses making key recommendations to ... Read More
Towards a REAL National Care Service for Scotland – Full Report
With the National Care Service Bill in tatters, this timely report makes a compelling case for the direct public delivery ... Read More
e brief – Update on the National Care Service Bill October 2023
Since its introduction in June 2022, UNISON has campaigned for the National Care Service Bill to be withdrawn. We want ... Read More
NHS staff managing childcare because of school strikes
We are receiving reports that some local managers are telling NHS staff that they should take annual leave or unpaid ... Read More
Winter preparedness – response to Health, Social Care & Sport Committee
This is UNISON Scotland's response to the Scottish Parliament's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s call for evidence[1] for the ... Read More
Briefing 130 – Consultation on Safe Staffing Statutory Guidance
The Scottish Government is consulting on its draft Statutory Guidance for safe staffing in health and care. The Health and ... Read More
Scottish government must reverse decision to cut 62 community health jobs in Glasgow, says UNISON
The decision to cut around 60 jobs in Glasgow’s community health services will have a severe impact on those who ... Read More
UNISON comment on the Scottish Government National Care Service partnership announcement
UNISON Scotland head of local government Johanna Baxter said: “The announcement that social care staff will continue to be employed ... Read More
Briefing 129 NHS Pension Contributions Changes Consultation
The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) is consulting on increasing the overall contribution made by members to the NHS pension ... Read More
UNISON members celebrate NHS 75th birthday
Here are a few photos of NHS staff celebrating the NHS 75th Birthday on Wednesday, June 5 ... Read More
Latest briefings and submissions
Briefing 127 – Scottish Household Survey 2021
This briefing looks at some key findings of the Scottish Household Survey 2021. This is a general population survey carried ...
UNISON Week 343 – NHS and social care in crisis and more
UNISON Week 343 - NHS and social care in crisisand more ... Read full newsletter here ...
UNISON Week 342 – NHS In Crisis – Taking The NCS Campaign To Parliament.
UNISON Week 342 - NHS in crisis, taking the NCS Campaign to Parliament. Read full newsletter here ...
Staff Pensions and the National Care Service
The creation of a National Care Service could mean around 75,000 council employed social care and social work staff transferring ...
e brief The National Care Service Bill & the NHS
The National Care Service (Scotland) Bill is being considered by the Scottish Parliament. This e brief looks at the implications ...
National Care Service Bill – A brief guide
The Scottish Parliament is currently considering the National Care Service (Scotland Bill). UNISON Scotland has prepared a short guide to ...
More on briefings page