February 2021 Branch News

Pay Campaign One Team 2k
 
Hopefully you will have seen on the website/social media, information about the UNISON campaign for a £2000 pay rise for 21/22.  It's important that you ensure your details are up to date on our membership records, as this will be required for any forthcoming ballot (you can do this online at https://www.unison.org.uk/my-unison or by emailing inverness.office@unison.co.uk).  Also have a look at the pay campaign info, and join in with any letter-writing etc which UNISON is promoting.
 
The web page is here:
#OneTeam2K: NHS pay rise campaign - UNISON Scotland (unison-scotland.org)
 
We will also be keeping our own Facebook page and website updated with the latest information (addresses at foot of page).
 
Annual General Meetings (AGMs) - Thursday 4 March 2021 at 3.00 pm and 7.00 pm.
 
You will be aware by now that we have a special guest for the AGMs - Janey Godley!  We hope this will definitely make you want to attend!  Please register for one of the meetings at 'Eventbrite' below (using the password UNISONhighlandhealth).  The Teams link for the meetings were included in the AGM email issued yesterday, and can also be obtained from inverness.office@unison.co.uk.  Hope to see you there!  ('Tickets' are free of charge of course).
 
To register for the meeting at 3.00 pm on Thursday 4 March, click here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unison-highland-healthcare-agm-1-tickets-141608923101
 
To register for the meeting at 7.00 pm on Thursday 4 March, click here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unison-highland-healthcare-agm-2-tickets-141610279157
 
Raigmore Breaks
 
We're hearing that staff at Raigmore (in particular, but maybe more generally?) are having problems taking breaks, due to the busy-ness of the hospital at present.  If this is affecting you (or if in fact you work at Raigmore and it's OK) we would like to hear from you.  Please contact the Branch by emailing inverness.office@unison.co.uk or telephone 01463 715891 and leave a message for someone to call you back.
 
Vaccination Programme
 
As at 15 February, 87,968 people have received a first vaccination.  This is 33% of the total age 18+ population.  There are very high uptake rates amongst the staff groups offered so far, such as those who work in care homes.

Staff Wellbeing Resources

Here is a super list/links of some of the resources available to support us in these very difficult and challenging times.  Do try and find the time to have a look/listen at some of these, whatever you think is most relevant.
 
Turas wellbeing resources: Psychosocial mental health and wellbeing support | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot) this resource includes:
1) Taking Care of myself: Taking care of myself | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)  (a number of different resources and apps for staff wellbeing as well as the Staff Wellbeing Planner)
 
2) Taking care of others: Taking care of other people | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)
 
3) Taking Care of your Staff: Taking care of your staff | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)
Responding to staff stress: Responding to stress experienced by hospital staff working with Covid-19 | The King's Fund
The psychological needs of healthcare staff: Psychological needs of healthcare staff.pdf (bps.org.uk)
 
Another resource which has been pulled together is:
 
Staff Wellbeing during a pandemic: Staff Wellbeing During a Pandemic & Beyond
 
NHS Highland internal communications survey - (available to NHS Highland employees on NHS Network)
 
Please complete the survey link below and share widely:
 
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=veDvEDCgykuAnLXmdF5Jmqlpq8TyAvFNiNFv0Q-D99RURFhTTTRNQTZMUVRPWERJWlhONEpRRUExTS4u
 
 
ADAM PALMER
Branch Communications Officer
 
https://www.unisonhighlandhealthcare.co.uk
https://twitter.com/HighlandUnison?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/unisonhighlandhealthcare/
https://twitter.com/ABUnisonHealth