Above-inflation pay rise critical to resolving NHS staff crisis, says UNISON

Unless the government gives NHS staff an inflation-busting pay rise, health workers are likely to jump ship to find better paid work, ​warns UNISON ​today (Tuesday). Many are so worried about money, they’re struggling to focus on their work as the cost-of-living crisis worsens, the union says. A decent pay rise would go some way to easing financial concerns​ and convince staff to ​stay in their jobs​. This would help deal with treatment backlogs caused by the pandemic and get health services back on track, ​adds UNISON. Research by the union shows that without a significant wage boost, what is already a workforce crisis in the NHS will worsen as staff seek more lucrative​, less stressful jobs ​on the high street and elsewhere. A new survey carried out by UNISON of more than 9,000 health workers in England, found almost half (48%) are seriously considering leaving the NHS in the next year. Around one in six (16%) say they are looking for work elsewhere right now. Of those seriously considering leaving, three fifths (61%) are attracted by better pay, while one in five (21%) are looking for less-pressured working conditions. Around two thirds (68%) of NHS staff ​say they will look for other, better-paying work, if ​this year’s NHS pay ​award does not keep pace with the cost of living. More than half (52%) said they are unable to concentrate at work because they are worrying about their finances. These findings will be presented by ​health w...
Source: UNISON Health and safety news - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: Article News Press release NHS pay rise pay review body Source Type: news