RCN response to NHS Pay Review Body report

Published: 13 March 2012

Commenting on today’s publication of the NHS Pay Review Body report, Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:

“It is deeply disappointing that this report does not take into account the tough financial circumstances so many nurses and healthcare assistants are currently facing. Not only are they in the middle of a two year pay freeze, but inflation is increasing and on the ground, many nurses are being stretched to breaking point as staff are not replaced and cuts begin to bite. Nurses are one of the lowest paid professional groups in the public sector and another year of an effective pay cut at the same time as the cost of living continues to rise, means that many families are already struggling to make ends meet.

“The Government should be focusing on sustaining the morale of nurses, many of whom are working under extreme pressure to deliver care for patients. We believe morale and motivation across the NHS workforce could be further damaged by a move to local pay and that this could have serious implications for the recruitment and retention of staff.

“It is for the independent and expert pay review body to recommend an appropriate and fair deal for frontline workers – not the Government. It is worrying that the review body feels that the public sector pay policies of the Government are limiting its ability to consider the full range of evidence.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit  http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

2. The 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.