Government chaos must not cause further delays on NHS pay

Ministers must act without delay to give the long-overdue wage rise that NHS staff deserve, says UNISON. Distractions of the government’s own making are no reason to hold back the desperately needed pay increase for health workers that is already three months late, the union says. The above-inflation pay rise demanded by unions to protect patient services should be at the top of new health secretary Stephen Barclay’s in-tray, says UNISON. Health workers are struggling to pay their bills with prices soaring. Without an immediate and significant pay rise, staff will simply leave the NHS – which is already experiencing a staffing crisis – and find work elsewhere, the union says. That would be a disaster with Covid cases once more on the rise, record treatment backlogs and workforce morale already at rock bottom, the union adds. UNISON has written to Stephen Barclay today to say staff deserve to know the recommendations made by the independent NHS pay review body (PRB) as soon as possible. UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “The government’s leadership vacuum is no excuse for further delay on putting NHS pay right. The government is already months behind its own timetable. “Surging costs are having a terrible effect on staff and helping them should be top of the priority list for the new secretary of state, not an afterthought. “Pay is crucial in making sure the NHS is properly staffed and able to provide the care that patients need. Giving a proper wage awar...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News Press release nhs pay Put NHS pay right Source Type: news