MPs urged to fight for the NHS

Published: 06 November 2012

The Royal College of Nursing has called on MPs to fight for the NHS on Wednesday, as parliament prepares for two debates on regional pay.

There will be a Westminster Hall debate, which gives MPs the opportunity to debate local or national issues and receive a response from a Government minister, and also an Opposition Day debate which culminates in a House of Commons vote.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said it is time for MPs to speak up for nursing staff and reject regional pay.

He said: “For months the RCN has shown that there are no benefits to regional pay while the dangers posed are numerous – this has been backed up by the Liberal Democrats voting against it during their conference.

“Regional pay will not save the economy. How can it, when you weaken the spending power of the largest workforce in the UK? All that will happen is that low pay will be entrenched in the most economically deprived areas of the country. The impact on patients will be substantial and they will be severe, creating a skills drain in local areas and putting patient care at risk.”

Dr Carter said regional pay is an attack on the hard work of nursing staff who are in the middle of a two-year pay freeze, have increased pension costs and face huge pressures due to sustained cuts of jobs.

He added: “We urge the public to get in touch with their MP and call on them to represent current and future patients of the NHS, and the nurses in their constituencies, and send a loud message to the Government that regional pay is not the answer.”