News

Civil society groups call for action to ensure inequalities are not exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis

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.

UNISON CALLS FOR PPE SHORTAGES GUIDANCE TO BE REJECTED

UNISON notes with serious concern guidance published by Public Health England (17^th April) on PPE shortages and the reuse of PPE.

UNISON DEMANDS IMMEDIATE TESTING OF ALL RESIDENTS AND ALL STAFF IN HOMES

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.

UNISON PRESS RELEASE - UNISON DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ACTION ON COVID-19 IN SOCIAL CARE

Today (16th April) UNISON is demanding that health and social care authorities in Northern Ireland take immediate action to address alarming issues and prevent the spread of Covid-19 across care homes, residential homes and when care is provided to people in their own homes. UNISON Regional Secretary, Patricia McKeown said:

UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE WORKERS ON COVID-19

Are you a health or social care worker concerned about Covid-19?

Health and social care employers have released an updated questions and answers guide for all workers. UNISON is regularly asking for these to be updated to answer questions and concerns that our members raise with us:

https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/guidance-hsc-staff/questions-and-answers-hsc-staff

UNISON ASKS PUBLIC TO CLAP FOR BLUE LIGHT SERVICES

Tonight at 8pm the public is being asked to show its support for UNISON members and all those working in frontline public services responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. The public should join in a mass round of applause at 8pm while staying in their homes.

Thousands of public service workers contact UNISON with ‘harrowing’ stories around protective kit as government asked to step up over Easter

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.

An update for education members on schools remaining open over the Easter holidays

The Education Authority has released some Frequently Asked Questions to assist Education staff in their queries about schools remaining open over the Easter Holidays.

Who should schools engage to provide cover over the Easter holidays where a school is remaining open?

Where requests for additional staff are received, the sequential approach the EA will take to identifying available workforce to support these schools will be as follows:

UNISON CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ON CARE HOMES AFFECTED BY COVID-19

UNISON notes the announcement by the Minister for Health that 20 of our care homes now have cases of Covid-19. Responding to this announcement, UNISON Regional Secretary Patricia McKeown said:

‘‘Our care homes have up to 16,000 residents all at risk. The homes have the potential to become petri dishes for the virus unless immediate testing, isolation and tracking commences.

Women in Northern Ireland must have access to safe, reliable healthcare.

The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is concerned at reports that women in Northern Ireland are unable to access urgent abortion healthcare, despite the fact that new laws legalising abortion in Northern Ireland were brought into force at the end of March 2020.