The Royal College of Nursing in Wales is demanding that the Welsh Government commit to improving pay progression in line with England. An announcement was made today for NHS England nursing staff that demonstrates the Westminster government has listened to the RCN concerns about lack of career progression.

The Westminster government has committed to invest in the workforce by reviewing every Band 5 nurse’s role to ensure their banding and salary match the work they actually do and fund any pay uplifts as a result. They have also committed to prioritising graduate pay in upcoming structural reform talks.

In England there is also a commitment to introduce a single preceptorship framework – led by the Chief Nursing Officer. In Wales this has already been implemented, however this is not fully funded. The Welsh government must now fully fund this to ensure new registrants have a robust pathway for career progression.

Helen Whyley, Executive Director of RCN Wales, said: “England has clearly recognised that pay progression for nurses from Band 5 to Band 6 needs fixing. The current pay system is not working for nursing professionals. It has eroded trust and left nurses feeling undervalued and stuck in a structure that does not reflect their skills, responsibilities and experience. The commitments made by the Welsh government in previous pay rounds have not delivered the changes nurses need to see and while the RCN is clear that this is not everything nursing staff want or deserve, the Welsh government must act now to ensure Welsh nurses aren’t left behind their English counterparts. This must be a starting point, not the end.”

“RCN Wales will be pressing the Welsh Government for urgent discussions and clear commitments to ensure nurses in Wales see real, tangible improvements without further delay.”

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The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK, including around 35,000 members in Wales. The RCN promotes the interests of nursing 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
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