Date: 27 August 2007

UNISON welcomes success in anti-relocation campaign

UNISONScotland, the union that represents staff in the Special Health Boards, today welcomed the announcement that relocation of the Boards' Edinburgh staff will not now go ahead.

Aileen Stewart (UNISON's Scottish Healthcare Branch Secretary) said "UNISON has fought against this unnecessary and expensive policy for a number of years and even up until last week continued to lobby the current Cabinet Secretary.

"We are pleased that our campaign has been successful. The Health Boards affected are NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Health Scotland, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and Glasgow-based NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) staff. UNISON is keen to point out that their campaign was based on the impact on these particular relocations, not on a policy of opposition to relocation.

"In these specific cases,” said Aileen, "Relocation of already widely dispersed NHS services made little sense, and threatened disruption to the service and expense, increased travel times and potential job loss for staff.” UNISON will continue to work with management to ensure that staff already employed in the new locations, on the basis of the previous decision to relocate, as well as those who work in NHS NSS in Glasgow, have any impact on them addressed quickly and without detriment.

ENDS

Note for editors: UNISON organises most occupations in Scotland's NHS, including senior managers, admin and clerical, nursing, allied health professionals and ancillary staff.

For Further Information Please Contact: Aileen Stewart (Branch secretary - Scottish Healthcare Br) 07974 748 791(m) David Forbes (Regional Organiser) 0131 226 0059(w) 07985 121 397(m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0771 558 3729(m)

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