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The Equality Coalition is a broad alliance of 90 civil society organisations and trade unions in Northern Ireland that collectively campaign to promote equality. The Coalition is jointly convened by UNISON and the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ). It provides a forum for unity between multiple sectors when campaigning for equality, while still allowing for the diversity of its members’ work and views.

Today (18^th April) UNISON is calling for an immediate programme of testing to be implemented for residents and staff across care homes. This follows the publication of data by NISRA indicating that 26% of deaths involving Covid-19 have occurred in care homes and hospices. UNISON Regional Secretary Patricia McKeown said:

‘‘Following the release of this data it is becoming clearer that emergency action must be taken by the Northern Ireland Health service.

Thousands of people working in the NHS, social care and local services have contacted a UNISON hotline in the last week expressing anxiety at the lack of gloves, masks, eye protectors and gowns where they work.

Staff from across the UK’s public services say they’re scared that without the right protective equipment, they risk catching the virus and passing it on to their families, or the elderly and vulnerable people they work with and care for.