Only right that proper provisions are made for families Commenting on the government announcement on Monday that NHS death-in-service benefits are to be extended to all health and care staff who die from contracting Covid-19, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “It’s only right the families of all those who worked for the NHS or in social care, […]
coronavirus
Home Office grants automatic extensions to health and care workers – and indefinite leave to remain to family of healthcare workers who die of COVID-19 UNISON has welcomed news that health and care workers from oversees, and their families, whose visas are due to expire before 1 October will have them automatically extended for free. […]
Wednesday 29 April 2020 For immediate release Responding to new figures released today (Wednesday) that show a steep rise in coronavirus deaths due to the inclusion of those in care homes, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Care workers have been crying out for essential safety equipment, clear guidance and widespread virus testing for weeks. The […]
Friday 17 April 2020 For immediate release Commenting on the emergency measures published today (Friday) by Public Health England, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “These are absolute worst case scenario measures, which staff hope their organisations won’t have to implement. “No part of the NHS should use this move as an excuse to […]
Staff keeping vital local services running – including schools, refuse collection and child protection – during the pandemic deserve a proper pay rise, say the three unions representing council staff in England and Wales today (Thursday). Responding to the 2.75% pay offer for 2020/21 made today by the Local Government Association (LGA), UNISON, Unite and the GMB are urging the […]
Union raises strong concerns with Department for Education’s latest guidance UNISON has written to the Department for Education, after its updated guidance on social distancing in education settings said that education staff do not require personal protective equipment (PPE). While the union understands that the risks in schools are different to those in hospitals, it is […]
UNISON says ‘desperate measures’ in leaked plans could lead to preventable deaths Frontline staff must be properly equipped to protect lives during the COVID-19 crisis, says UNISON, after ‘last-resort’ proposals on safety equipment were leaked. General secretary Dave Prentis said that the proposals from Public Health England contain “desperate measures” and “are a shocking indictment […]
Raising status must be backed by better pay Commenting on the health secretary Matt Hancock’s announcements at the Downing Street briefing today (Wednesday) about care workers, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:“It’s right that the care, compassion and selflessness of care workers should be given proper recognition. They’re putting their lives on the line. “But for all the […]
A message for Branch Secretaries Dear Branch Secretary There for You is UNISON’s welfare charity that helps members who experience hard times. In the current coronavirus crisis, that’s pretty much everyone. There for You is helping more and more members who find that their limited income has been hit by the crisis:- · Some are […]
The UK Government and NHS leaders from a range of medical and nursing royal colleges have published new guidance about personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS teams who are likely to come into contact with patients with coronavirus. The guidance has been agreed by the four Chief Medical Officers, Chief Nursing Officers and Chief Dental […]