During 2023-4, RCN members employed by the Care Plus Group (CPG) campaigned for improved pay and pay parity with NHS employers.

CPG is a social enterprise organisation providing NHS adult health and social care services to the people of Grimsby and Northern Lincolnshire. Even though CPG delivers NHS services, its staff do not receive pay, terms and conditions that match Agenda for Change in the NHS.

'We receive £5,000 a year less than our NHS counterparts’

“More than ever people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. People are leaving community health services or disregarding it as a career option.” 

Read what our members have to say and why their fight matters in the RCN magazine and watch our short video.

Industrial strike action

Despite the campaign, CPG again imposed a 1% pay increase. In response to continuing below inflation pay awards, the RCN balloted CPG members in July 2023 on whether they would be willing to take industrial strike action. 93% of those members who voted, voting ‘yes' and members took strike action during autumn 2023 and spring 2024. Read more here.   

Strike action is a last resort for nursing staff. Unfairly low pay in the profession is driving chronic understaffing which puts patients at risk and leaves nursing staff overworked, underpaid and undervalued.

Turning point 

Following strike action and protests, a campaign turning point came in September 2024 with a significant break through following members intervention at the organisation's AGM. The CPG Board and senior management made a public commitment to achieving pay parity with the NHS. CPG and the joint trade unions issued a joint statement committing to work together to achieve this end. 

The campaign continues

Work continues to agree and achieve a realistic time frame for pay parity as well as ensure members receive the 2024 NHS pay award.

Independent Health and Social Care

A significant and growing number of our members work in independent health and social care (IHSC). This diverse group includes all nursing staff employed in settings outside the NHS. That could be care homes, nursing agencies, private hospitals or somewhere else entirely. It also includes members – such as general practice nurses – who may provide NHS services but not be employed on Agenda for Change contracts. Read more here