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

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Since its introduction in June 2022, UNISON has campaigned for the National Care Service Bill to be withdrawn.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

thumbnail of Scottish Household Survey Policy Briefing 127 2023
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

thumbnail of Unison week 343
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.

thumbnail of Unison week 342
UNISON Week 342 - NHS in crisis, taking the NCS Campaign to Parliament. Read full newsletter here ...

Staff Pensions and the National Care Service

thumbnail of Pensions NCS e-briefing
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

thumbnail of e brief – the National Care Service and 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

thumbnail of UNISON Scotland NCS Bill 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