Nursing and midwifery family
UNISON is the largest trade union in the health and care services with a strong membership throughout the entire nursing and midwifery family
Who we represent
We represent the whole nursing family, including:
- registered nurses;
- midwives;
- healthcare assistants;
- maternity support workers;
- community nurses;
- nursing associates;
- apprentices; and
- healthcare students.
You spend your working lives caring for others. We are committed to standing up for you and making sure you are always properly valued, respected, and supported to give the best care. We have a large network of branch representatives and officers who are committed to providing you with help and support.
How we support you
As well as producing helpful advice for members, we campaign every day to ensure nurses and midwives are well supported and valued.
We lobby on behalf of nurses and midwives at a national level and are leading campaigns challenging racism in the NHS, calling for safe staffing levels, and negotiating for better pay.
We have education and training opportunities for members and a range of interesting ways for nurses and midwives to be involved. We always welcome and support nurses and midwives who want to become reps in their workplace and advocates for their colleagues.
Overseas nurses
Overseas nurses make an enormous contribution to the NHS and social care and are our valued and respected colleagues. We understand there are many challenges and difficulties facing overseas nurses working in the UK.
Our campaigns cover the key issues impacting our overseas nursing staff and students including: racism in the NHS; simplifying the registration process for overseas nurses; challenging the Immigration Health Surcharge; and ending the hostile UK immigration system.
The nursing and midwifery family
UNISON represents registered nurses and midwives across all settings and specialisms who are on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register.
Registered nurses and midwives are a major and vital section of the health workforce, working in a range of settings from acute care to communities to government. We represent those in all settings, including public health, district nursing and health visiting.
We have a dedicated Professional Services Unit which offers advice and representation in cases involving issues with the NMC.
We lobby on behalf of nurses at a national level and are leading campaigns challenging racism in the NHS, calling for safe staffing levels, and negotiating for better pay.
We have education and training opportunities for members and a range of interesting ways for nurses and midwives to be involved. We always welcome and support nurses and midwives who want to become reps in their workplace and advocates for their colleague.
The nursing associate helps bridge the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nursing. It is a valuable role in the healthcare team as well as being a route to qualifying as a registered nurse.
UNISON played a key role in the correct regulation and recognition of nursing associates and our Professional Services Unit offers advice and support to our nursing associate UNISON members in any issues they have with the NMC. We ensure associates are treated fairly, have clear roles and responsibilities, and access to ongoing learning and development.
Healthcare assistants and support workers are a crucial and respected part of the nursing family, conducting a range of clinical activities in their day-to-day work and providing direct care to patients and families.
We have a wide membership amongst health care assistants and support workers and actively campaign on key issues facing you such as safe staffing levels, pay, and continuing education and development.
We campaign to make sure the role is well paid and has good development opportunities. And we support the expansion of routes to working as a registrant as long as they are well paid and supported.
UNISON co-ordinates with other trade unions on a European level on issues facing healthcare assistants and support workers and supports greater recognition and opportunities.
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