RCN extremely disappointed with decision not to reopen NHS pay talks
Published: 18 December 2008
Responding to the decision by the independent NHS Review Body not to request a remit from the Secretary of State to review the pay settlement contained in the 3 year NHS pay deal, Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said,
“We are extremely disappointed that the Review Body is not recommending reopening NHS pay talks. But the fact is the economy has changed dramatically since the three year deal was signed, lurching from the highest inflation levels in 16 years to recession and associated job losses.
“These are tough times for everyone, including hard working nurses and low paid healthcare assistants. Record numbers of our members have turned to the RCN for help dealing with financial difficulties, including home repossession over the past few months. While there are signs inflation is now falling, the impact of spiralling inflation earlier this year – on mortgages, utility bills and costs of living continues to have a devastating effect on the everyday lives of our members.”
Next year the RCN will be resubmitting evidence to the PRB on the impact of the economic changes on our members, the labour market and recruitment and retention levels in the NHS.
Ends
Notes to editors
All NHS staff will receive a 2.4% pay increase from 1 April 2009 but structural changes mean that staff on bands 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and 6 (pay points 1-13 and 17-25) will receive higher percentage uplifts. Some nurses and healthcare assistants will receive 3-year increases of between 16-18%.
The NHS pay deal remains the best in the public sector worth at least 8% for all NHS staff over the period 2008-2010/11.
For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.