Local Staff May Lose out on National Pay Award

Published: 26 January 2010

The Royal College of Nursing has expressed concern at plans by Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which may see local staff lose out on the national pay award. 

Financial pressures have led Southend Hospital to announce that it intends to initiate discussions with staff side on the approach of awarding staff on local terms and conditions a pay increase below the national award.  Although nothing has been agreed yet, Karen Webb, Regional Director of the RCN Eastern Region said; “Good quality healthcare is reliant on motivated staff, who feel valued and fairly paid – no matter what the economic climate.  It is extremely disappointing that Southend Hospital Trust has chosen to focus so quickly on the payroll of front line staff, where any cuts are likely to be felt most immediately by patients.

“Whilst we recognise that the Trust must balance its books, we strongly urge Southend Hospital Trust to reconsider this proposal and to look at more innovative ways in which to make efficiencies, which do not affect frontline staff and clinical services”.  

Mike Kavanagh, Regional Officer for Essex said; “The RCN has for a number of years encouraged local staff to transfer over to national terms and conditions, and never has this been more important than in today’s current economic climate.  We hope that local staff will take this opportunity to seriously consider their future contracts with the Trust.”