Over ninety percent of Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members in Wales have said the Welsh Government’s 3.6% pay award is not enough in a landmark consultation that saw the highest turnout in the College’s history in Wales.

The unprecedented level of engagement reflects growing frustration among staff over pay, working conditions, and the ongoing pressures facing the NHS. This is the first time so many members have participated in a consultative pay ballot, signalling a strong and united voice from the nursing workforce.

The message is clear:  nursing staff feel undervalued in ways that go far beyond an annual award.

The RCN is demanding an overhaul of the NHS' outdated Agenda for Change pay structure – a scheme which has failed our members for over 20 years.  It offers low starting salaries, blocks career progression and ignores skills, experience and training.

The nursing workforce in Wales has heard promises of reform before, but year after year nothing changes. Structural reform is endlessly kicked down the road and passed to England – even though the Welsh Government has the power to act.

Reforming nursing pay and career structures isn't just about fairness, but also about futureproofing the nursing profession. Nursing is a safety critical profession and as such, ensuring we’re retaining experienced nursing staff is a patient safety issue and key to the Welsh Government’s own vision for the NHS.

Helen Whyley, Executive Director of RCN Wales, said: “With the highest turnout ever 3.6% is not enough for nursing staff – they deserve to be listened to. The commitments made in 2023 of pay restoration, and reviewing career progression have become government rhetoric and made no impact on our members reality. Coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, and the moral injury many of our members face on a  daily basis when caring for patients in inappropriate environments you can clearly see that nursing pay reform is a patient safety issue that is in the government’s power to change.

“Pay is not just a number – it reflects a package of terms and working conditions that shape how acknowledged, supported and motivated staff feel in their roles.

“In under a year, all our members will go to the polls. They feel desperately undervalued by the current government. That will stay the case unless they unveil major reforms in the remaining months and not just election promises”.

The RCN will now consider next steps in consultation with its members, which may include a ballot for industrial action should the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care not enter meaningful discussions with us.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK, including around 30,500 members in Wales. The RCN promotes the interests of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape health care policy.

For more information, contact the RCN Wales communications and media team on 02920 680 769 or mediawales@rcn.org.uk