Sara Gorton is UNISON’s deputy head of health, responsible for delivery of the union’s pay and bargaining strategy for NHS Staff. She is the current chair of the NHS Staff Council Executive and sits on the England Social Partnership Forum, with past projects including NHS procurement policies and widening access to the NHS Pension Scheme.
Sara has worked for UNISON since 2002. In addition to working on Agenda for Change since its early implementation in 2003, she has worked on Mental Health nursing; Improving Working Lives; NHS Job Evaluation; Transforming Community Services, NHS Health and Social Care Act; NHS pensions; and Staff Engagement. Sara has been responsible for UNISON members working in the Ambulance Service and for delivering the trade union function for the British Association of Occupational Therapists.
Prior to joining UNISON, Sara worked for Connect Public Affairs and the Royal College of Nursing. She is a graduate of the University of Birmingham.
The UNISON team Sara manages delivers the union’s work to challenge government policy on and funding for the NHS; to stand up for patients and services; to improve NHS pay, terms and conditions; and to encourage participation in NHS governance and oversight. Current UNISON health campaigns include One Team – arguing for recognition of the whole support team in health provision; Better Hospital Food – aiming to improve access to nutrition for patients and staff; and opposition to plans to remove the NHS bursary from students in England.
Sara’s current projects include Trade Union engagement in the STP process; SPF Strategy to reduce Bullying and Harassment in the NHS; Negotiations to refresh Agenda for Change.
