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: Anthony Barnes Tags: Article News Press release NHS pay rise pay review body Source Type: news
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