Responding to the recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said:

“It was clear nursing staff were being failed on pay when their award was announced last month, today that remains the case. Our profession deserves a fair award negotiated directly, not one that sees them fall further behind the colleagues they work closest with to provide care.

“We cannot keep going round in circles like this, which is why health unions are united on the need for the talks on reforming the NHS pay structure to start now.

“Public satisfaction with the NHS is improving but progress is fragile and confidence in the future of services has hit an all-time low. If ministers want to truly turn things around then the 'imminent' pay reform talks they speak of need to formally begin."

Ends

Notes to editors:

Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration – report 2026

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 interests 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.

For more information, contact the RCN press office at 020 7647 3633 or email mediateamhq@rcn.org.uk