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One Voice

10-06-2021 17:53

One of the most important things that the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted over the past year has been that the physical and emotional wellbeing of health and care staff, must be of equal priority to that of patients. This has not always been the case in the past for a number of reasons, including a narrow focus on performance and, sometimes, putting patients’ needs ahead of our own. Staff who are psychosocially healthy are better able to meet the needs and preferences of patients. So,

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Energy conference tackles climate change and equality

10-06-2021 17:34

UNISON’s energy service group today held the first UNISON conference to take place online. But after vice president James Anthony (pictured above) had explained this, delegates were more concerned with trying to make history of a different kind, with an agenda that was dominated by the struggles against climate change and for equality.
Angela Greenhalgh, the chair of the national energy committee, spoke briefly of the impact of COVID-19 on the sector, with the loss of jobs a serious concer

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There was no protective ring around social care

10-06-2021 17:06

Responding to comments made today (Thursday) by the health secretary to the Health and Social Care and Science and Technology Committees, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“Matt Hancock has rather a selective memory. There was no protective ring. In the early days of the pandemic social care was left completely high and dry.
“Terrified staff spent weeks without access to proper protective kit. Supply shortages forced care workers to either

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Vaccine sharing programme must be top of G7 agenda

10-06-2021 17:00

Leaders of the G7 nations must use this week’s summit to agree a temporary waiver of the intellectual property (IP) rights for the coronavirus vaccine to allow more of the world’s population to be vaccinated and quickly, says UNISON today (Thursday).
The G7 nations, whose members include the UK, Canada, Germany and the US, have so far failed to reach agreement on a proposal made last year by Indi

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Tackling NHS backlogs must begin with a proper pay rise

10-06-2021 16:53

Commenting on new NHS England figures published today (Thursday) showing extensive waiting times for procedures, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:
“Clearing these lengthy backlogs is no easy feat. Patients are facing years of discomfort waiting for the sort of complex diagnoses, treatment and surgery that can only be done by the NHS.
“That’s why it’s so important to support and retain the existing workforce, many of whom are burnt out and complete

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