Government announces pay cut for nurses
Published: 01 March 2007
Tina Donnelly, Director RCN Wales, said: “The government’s pay announcement is very disappointing for nurses in Wales. Nurses in Wales are already disadvantaged because many are still not receiving an adequate salary for the care they deliver. Agenda for Change, the pay and conditions modernisation package, is still unavailable to many frontline nurses in Wales.
It is regrettable that the government plans to impose this award in stages. This demonstrates that the government does not value its nursing workforce. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has admitted that nurses will be upset about the inflation rise being staged.
The RCN is actively campaigning against the damaging effects that the current NHS financial deficits are having on patient care. It is now doubly important that the Government makes sure there is real action on initiatives that will make tangible improvements to nurses’ working lives – such as better access to affordable childcare, flexible working arrangements and help with housing costs.”
It is regrettable that the government plans to impose this award in stages. This demonstrates that the government does not value its nursing workforce. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has admitted that nurses will be upset about the inflation rise being staged.
The RCN is actively campaigning against the damaging effects that the current NHS financial deficits are having on patient care. It is now doubly important that the Government makes sure there is real action on initiatives that will make tangible improvements to nurses’ working lives – such as better access to affordable childcare, flexible working arrangements and help with housing costs.”