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Nurses lead task force to improve working conditions, but not pay

‘The voice of nursing is being heard’ says RCN, as Scotland launches new nurse-led taskforce in response to issues raised in ongoing pay dispute
Scottish health and social care secretary Humza Yousaf listens to a briefing by advanced nurse practitioner Amanda Bendoris during a visit to Falkirk Community Hospital in 2022

‘The voice of nursing is being heard’ says RCN, as Scotland launches new nurse-led task force in response to issues raised in ongoing pay dispute

Scottish health and social care secretary Humza Yousaf with advanced nurse practitioner Amanda Bendoris at Falkirk Community Hospital in 2022
Scottish health and social care secretary Humza Yousaf listens to a briefing by advanced nurse practitioner Amanda Bendoris during a visit to Falkirk Community Hospital in 2022 Picture: Alamy

Nurses will head up a new task force aimed at improving working conditions and boosting staff numbers in the NHS.

Team of nurses, workforce experts and academics will focus on staff development

Launched today, the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce in Scotland aims to improve retention and development of the existing nursing workforce and look at new ways of recruiting.

Chaired by health and social care secretary Humza Yousaf, it will draw from members of the RCN and Royal College of Midwives, alongside nursing workforce experts and academics to improve working conditions, learning opportunities and workplace cultures.

But it will not have a say in matters relating to pay, including any non-pay elements of pay deals offered by the government.

RCN Scotland said the task force was a direct result of its mandate for strike action. Director Colin Poolman said: ‘Pay is important, but our members have been clear that it is the chronic staff shortages and service pressures that led them to vote for strike action.

‘Today’s announcement demonstrates that the voice of nursing is being heard. The RCN will hold the Scottish Government to its commitment to deliver a sustainable nursing workforce.

‘Together with our partners on the taskforce, we will ensure that the personal experiences and views of our members, the wider nursing workforce and the nurses of the future, informs and shapes this essential work.’

Task force plan comes alongside 6.5% pay offer

Healthcare staff in Scotland were last week offered an average 6.5% pay increase for 2023-24 which the government claimed would make them the ‘best paid in the UK’. RCN Scotland has recommended its members accept the offer.

The college agreed to opt out of strikes in February under the condition that swift progress was made on next year’s pay offer. Previous negotiations had also called for staff shortages and poor working conditions to be addressed.

Mr Yousaf said the new task force will ensure nurses in Scotland ‘have the best conditions and career opportunities as well’.

‘Our nursing and midwifery staff have repeatedly shown their commitment to the NHS and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude, particularly for their efforts during the pandemic.’


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