Union evidence calls for morale-boosting pay award
Published: 31 October 2007
The RCN and other trade unions are seeking a pay award in 2008 that restores the morale of NHS staff, according to a report submitted to the NHS Review Body on Wednesday 31 October 2007.
The report, which includes the findings of a survey of more than 24,000 NHS workers, reveals more than 60 per cent of NHS staff believe their morale and motivation is worse than twelve months ago.
"There is strong evidence and widespread acceptance that the morale of NHS staff has fallen and continues to fall," the report states.
“Whilst a significant pay increase would not cure all ills, it would go a long way towards restoring morale and making staff feel valued for the vital public service they provide," it concludes.
The evidence submitted today to the Review Body examines the current state of the UK economy, NHS finances and affordability, morale and motivation of staff, workload, pay and career progression.
It also compares NHS pay with other public and private sector staff groups.
In making the case for an award that keeps pace with inflation, the report contains figures which show the average house price in 99 per cent of 510 towns surveyed in March 2007 was unaffordable for the typical nurse, while the average weekly pay of a nurse in 2006 was £165 less than a teacher and £233 less than a police officer.
Meanwhile, the survey of 24,000 NHS staff by Incomes Data Services (IDS) reveals 84 per cent of staff now have higher workloads than a year ago, 70 per cent work more than their contracted hours, and three out of five health workers have considered leaving the health service in the last twelve months.
The findings of the Staff Side report are supported by the RCN’s own research, which has found 55 per cent of nurses are too busy to provide the standard of care they would like.
The increased workloads are attributed to extra duties, insufficient sickness cover and vacancy freezes.
The NHS Review Body will meet for the first time in early November to consider the evidence submitted by Staff Side, individual unions, NHS employers and the Government.
Staff Side is due to give oral evidence in late December, and the RCN is expected to appear before the committee in January 2008.
Members are advised to check the RCN website for regular updates about this year’s pay campaign.