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Looking ahead to 2024

Sarah Dodsworth 1 Feb 2024

Now that the year is in full swing, Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber, Sarah Dodsworth, looks ahead to what's in store in 2024.

Pay across the whole health and care sector remains a top priority in Yorkshire and the Humber. We want all nursing colleagues to have equivalent pay and conditions, no matter who you work for or in what sector, so our campaigns in the region this year will aim to support those working outside of Agenda for Change just as closely as we support those working for the NHS.

The Government has opened a consultation around creating a new pay spine for nursing staff and we will be feeding into that. We will soon be encouraging you to let us know your thoughts about pay so that we can submit a comprehensive response to the Department of Health’s 12-week consultation, keep an eye out for news of that. We are very keen to continue support for job evaluation as part of this work too, with a strong focus on looking at those of you working at Band 2.

This will be an election year, and the RCN will be stepping up pressure on all political parties to demand genuine commitment not only to better pay, but also to staffing levels and patient safety.

You all have a part to play in shaping the RCN, maybe 2024 is the year that you make your voice heard at a branch meeting or learning event?

We look forward to hearing about all your nursing achievements this year and hopefully seeing you at one of our regional events.


Sarah Dodsworth

Sarah Dodsworth

Regional Director, RCN Northern and Yorkshire & the Humber regions

Sarah has been a nurse for almost 35 years and is dual qualified in general and mental health nursing. Sarah previously held the post of operational manager for the RCN in its South East region before relocating to the North to take up posts in the care home sector and then the NHS.

Page last updated - 01/02/2024