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

Delivering net zero for Scotland’s buildings: Heat in Buildings Bill

This is UNISON Scotland's response to the Scottish Government consultation on its proposed Heat in Buildings Bill. We are members ... Read More

Lobby MSPs to support key Bill & help workers with Long Covid

UNISON Scotland’s Welfare Committee is urging members to write to their MSPs backing the important Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council ... Read More

Democracy Matters: Local governance Phase 2 consultation

This is UNISON's response to the Scottish Government and COSLA  ‘Democracy Matters: Local governance Phase 2 consultation’. The consultation is ... Read More

Resignation of Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Michael Matheson 

UNISON Scotland head of health Matt McLaughlin said: “UNISON had a good working relationship Michael and I wish him all ... Read More

Briefing 139 – National Care Service: Revised Government Plans

The Scottish Government has radically revised its plans for a National Care Service.   This follows negotiations with COSLA and the ... Read More

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Scotland Bill

This is our response to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s call for views on Gillian Mackay MSP’s Abortion ... Read More

Briefing 136 – The ‘Safe Staffing’ Act in the NHS.

The Health and Care Staffing (Scotland) Act comes into force in April 2024. The Bill gives staff in the NHS ... Read More

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

Latest briefings and submissions

Combating Austerity: Signposting the ways Scotland could limit some of the damage

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The Conservative Government’s austerity programme will result in around a further £2 billion of cuts to Scotland’s public services. There is ...

Health (Tobacco, Nicotine, etc and Care) (Scotland) Bill

Health (Tobacco, Nicotine, etc and Care) (Scotland) Bill
UNISON has consistently supported the Scottish Government in its ambitions to curtail smoking across the Scottish Population since its first ...

Working Together; Progressive Workplace Policies In Scotland response

Working Together; Progressive Workplace Policies In Scotland response
We would certainly share in the aims for a labour market which is highly conducive to; "creating sustainable high quality ...

Health and Care Professions Council: imposition of excessive registration fees on health professionals: MSP briefing June 2015

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Health and Care Professions Council: imposition of excessive registration fees on health professionals - MSP briefing – June 2015 The Scottish Parliament ...

Caring and learning and worried about money – student nurses survey – June 2015

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Caring and learning and worried about money Survey of student nurses about work, money and learning - June 2015 Extract ...

Counting the Cost – Transactional staff

Counting the Cost
UNISON Scotland has surveyed our members working in transactional jobs across Scotland’s public services. They are the staff who take ...

More on briefings page