The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales has responded with deep disappointment to the Welsh government’s belated announcement of a 3.6% pay rise for NHS Wales staff, including nursing professionals.
Helen Whyley, Executive Director of RCN Wales, said: “This announcement has come far too late, leaving nursing staff waiting once again for recognition they urgently deserve. At a time when morale is already low and the pressures on the health service are immense, this delay only deepens the sense of disillusionment among our members.”
“This uplift does not begin to address the years of real-term pay cuts our members have endured. The Welsh government has committed to pay restoration—but with an award only just in line with inflation, it fails to deliver on that promise. Nursing staff need more than a gesture to bring their pay back in line with what they have lost over the last decade.”
RCN Wales welcomes the agreement to begin negotiations on reforming Agenda for Change via the NHS Staff Council UK.
Helen Whyley continued: “Nursing staff are crying out for reform, Agenda for Change is not fit for purpose, where nurses staff stagnate on one band for all their career with no career progression despite years of experience. We expect this reform to address valuing nursing for the safety critical profession that it is.”
“With over 2,000 nursing vacancies across Wales, this announcement does little to improve recruitment or retention. The NHS is being held together by the goodwill of overstretched and undervalued nurses and health care support workers. The Welsh government would be wise to consider if this Pay Review Body process works to resolve their workforce crisis or whether direct negotiations, like those in Scotland, would be more beneficial. Our members will now consider whether this award goes far enough to make nursing the attractive, respected profession it needs to be.”
RCN Wales will continue to consult with members and push for the fair pay, safe staffing, and long-term investment that nursing and patient care in Wales urgently require.
Notes to editors
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the including around 30,500 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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