Delegates support calls on wellbeing and health and safety

Delegates to UNISON’s health conference debated a series of motions under the collective heading of health, safety and wellbeing, on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. “Let’s commit to fostering a workplace where every woman feels valued,” said Susan Parkinson (pictured above). Moving a motion on women’s mental health at work for the national women’s committee, she explained that women experience higher levels of mental health problems than men. Karen Buckley from Greater Manchester stated that 76% of the NHS staff are women. Alongside the fact that the majority of carers – paid and unpaid – are also women, and that low pay, the cost of living crisis and discrimination particularly affect women, it is little surprise that, as inequality has worsened, so mental health issues for women have increased. “Most of all,” continued Ms Buckley, “we need social justice.” Angie from the Homerton Hospital branch raised the issue of how being a Black women can intensify mental health problems, while a delegate from Northern Ireland, called out, to applause: “Stuff the stigma [around mental health]! Get the support from the people around you!” Several delegates spoke movingly of their own experiences, as conference called on the service group executive to “work with the national women’s committee to campaign for mentally healthy workplaces where women can thrive”, and to “promote UNISON’s guide to bargaining on mental health to woman members working in the...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2024 National Health Conference health and safey long covid mental health sexual harassment trans rights Source Type: news