RCN responds to increase in NHS executive pay
Published: 27 March 2009
Commenting on a survey from Incomes Data Services revealing that executive pay increased by 6.4% in 2008, Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, says:
"Being an NHS Chief Executive is a tough and demanding job, and all the people who make a difference to the care that NHS staff deliver should be rewarded for hard work. However, news that executive pay has increased by so much so quickly sends the wrong message to frontline staff. It is the collective hard work of all NHS staff that ensures high quality healthcare services are delivered on a daily basis, so the pay that staff take home must be seen to be fair. It is difficult to expect nurses and other staff to be happy with their pay award when this survey shows that on average staff in their boardroom are getting three times as much."