Below follows Unite in Health Gibraltar's New Year statement:

As 2025 draws to a close, Unite in Health Gibraltar takes this opportunity to reflect on the past year.  While we would have hoped to end the year on a positive note, regrettably this has not been the  case. 

We began 2025 with a substantial number of unresolved claims across the health service. These  longstanding issues culminated in demonstrations involving various disciplines within the health  sector. Those demonstrations highlighted serious concerns relating to staff shortages, unresolved  employment matters, and the resulting impact on patient safety. They also brought to light a deeply  concerning workplace culture within the Gibraltar Health Authority, where many staff feel afraid to  speak out or raise concerns for fear of repercussions. This culture of silence is unacceptable in any  healthcare setting. 

Following our demonstration in June 2025, one of the key actions committed to was the  appointment of an Industrial Relations Officer specifically tasked with addressing longstanding  claims and issues within the nursing sector. This appointment was welcomed by Unite, and during  this period the officer actively engaged with outstanding matters. Regular meetings took place, and  progress, although slow, was beginning to be made. 

However, it has now been confirmed that this individual has been absorbed into the Government of  Gibraltar’s Department of Industrial Relations and will no longer have an active or dedicated role  within the Gibraltar Health Authority. This development represents a significant setback. 

There remains an enormous number of outstanding claims that urgently require resolution, some of  which date back as far as nine years. Of particular concern is a claim pertaining to a group of retired  nurses. The removal of the Industrial Relations Officer will inevitably cause further delays to an issue  that is time-sensitive and directly affects a vulnerable group of pensioners who have already waited  far too long for resolution. 

This situation is further compounded by the fact that the GHA Executive Board is currently formed of  individuals serving in an acting capacity, with none empowered to make substantive decisions. While  Unite welcomes the appointment of all Board members, this transition will result in yet another  reset, leading to further delays. The Gibraltar Health Authority has been in a constant state of reset  since the pandemic, with continuity and accountability repeatedly disrupted. 

Whilst Unite in Health Gibraltar welcomes the review of the nursing skill mix, not all departments  have yet been audited. Furthermore, we are still awaiting feedback on the proposed plan of action  to address the gaps identified by the audits already undertaken by nursing managers. Without clear 

timelines and committed resources, these reviews risk becoming yet another exercise without  meaningful outcomes. 

Unite in Health Gibraltar continues to stand firmly behind its members, both serving and retired. We  will not accept further delays, regressions, or the sidelining of legitimate claims. As we look ahead to  2026, our members deserve fairness, accountability, transparency, and decisive action. They deserve  a health service where concerns can be raised without fear, where commitments are honoured, and  where long-standing issues are finally resolved. 

Unite in Health Gibraltar remains committed to representing and defending its members in the year  ahead and will continue to hold the relevant authorities to account. We would like to take this  opportunity to thank our members for their resilience and professionalism throughout a challenging  year and to wish all Unite in Health Gibraltar members a healthy, safe, and Happy New Year.