Posted 19 January 2024 - 14:32
Posted 19 January 2024 - 14:32
News
NHS nurse pay: would split from Agenda for Change benefit staff?
Opinion divided over whether breaking away from AfC banding would give nurses access to higher pay – or drive a wedge between them and the wider NHS workforce
Opinion divided over whether breaking away from AfC banding would give nurses access to higher pay – or drive a wedge between them and the wider NHS workforce
Nurses in the NHS are divided on whether a nursing-specific pay spine would be good for the profession – some worry the idea is a distraction while others insist it’s time nurses left Agenda for Change (AfC).
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced a call for evidence that will consider whether a separate pay structure for nurses in England’s NHS would be viable and beneficial.
Nurses’ career progression – or lack of it – in the NHS
Employers, unions and health and care staff are being asked to share their views on whether the current pay structure is limiting career progression and affecting recruitment and retention.
RCN general secretary Pat Cullen insists AfC no longer reflects the expertise of modern nursing. Some nurses agree, arguing the biggest barrier for nurses’ career progression is inadequate AfC job descriptions and banding that stop exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable nurses from progressing financially.
Queen’s nurse Leanne Patrick tweeted: ‘The vast majority of band 5s are nurses. We have not been served well by AfC as it hampers our negotiating power.
‘Unison and most others AfC unions voted to accept the pay deal. Nurses did not. Nurses cannot fight alone for fair pay on behalf of the 1 million staff on AfC.’
Nurse consultant Felicia Cox, who is an AfC job matcher, agreed that progression was not equal across job roles and that this is an opportunity to address discrepancies.
But others were more cynical and question whether a separate pay spine would lead to better pay for nurses.
Unison has called the proposals divisive, arguing it pits different staff groups in the NHS against each other. Many disagreed and said nurses should be the ones ‘to say what is best for nursing’.
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