Commenting on new measures announced today (Wednesday) by the health secretary aimed at boosting pay and career progression for nurses, UNISON head of health Helga Pile said:
“National standards for supporting newly qualified nurses as they start their careers are welcome.
“But for the NHS to deliver the standards of care patients need, nursing and other healthcare roles must become more attractive options as graduate professions. Boosting starting pay and longer-term earnings prospects is key.
“Immediately after the general election, ministers promised talks and investment to improve the pay structure for nurses and other health workers. However, we’re still waiting for those negotiations to start.
“Today’s commitment will mean little until proper pay talks get started with serious funding on the table.
“It’s also vital that all staff are paid properly for the work they do. Many nurses say their pay grade has not been reviewed and no longer reflects the level of expertise and responsibility they now have.
“They’re delivering more complex care, making tougher decisions and supervising more junior staff. Ministers must back the review programme with funding and enforcement so that every employer does the right thing.
“UNISON has supported over 65,000 healthcare support workers to win deals on regrading and back pay. Many of them had to take strike action to secure the money they were owed, which should never be necessary.
“Lessons must be learned and job review systems improved so health workers across the NHS team are paid fairly and properly valued.”
Notes to editors:
– Since 2021, over 60 NHS trusts in England and Wales have agreed deals on regrading and back pay for over 65,000 healthcare workers. More on UNISON’s Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign can be found here.
– UNISON is also supporting nurses with regrading. More on the Value Nurses Fairly campaign can be found here
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Dan Ashley M: 07789 518992 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
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