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Marie Curie pay discrepancy claims: charity reviews rewards and benefits

Staff concerned over disparity with Agenda for Change, but charity says it must examine costs
Image of two figures representing nurses, one large and one small, holding pound symbols

Staff concerned over disparity with Agenda for Change, but terminal illness charity says it must consider affordability

Image of two figures representing nurses, one large and one small, holding pound symbols
Picture: iStock

Terminal illness charity Marie Curie has acknowledged that its staff are concerned about internal pay discrepancies and said it has begun a strategic review of its rewards and benefits.

The comment came after a nurse at the charity contacted Nursing Standard to highlight a pay divide that means some hospice and community staff are paid in line with NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) terms while others are not.

RCN says nurses employed by a charity should not receive worse pay or terms

The nurse, who did not want to be named, said many of her colleagues felt aggrieved at the situation. ‘There is a divide among staff who are mainly providing palliative care services to the NHS. There have been many discussions with senior management about this over ten years, but they said it would cost millions to bring all staff in line with AfC terms,’ the nurse said.

‘Marie Curie nurses gave everything during the pandemic and those who stay do so because they are passionate about their jobs and caring for patients. But nurses are leaving and we need them to stay.’

RCN members working for the charity recently voted to reject a 2% pay offer, prompting formal pay negotiations.

An RCN spokesperson said: ‘Members employed by Marie Curie are dedicated professionals working with the same skills and commitment to patients as members employed elsewhere.

'We do not believe that members employed by a charity should receive worse pay or terms than those employed in the public sector or by a private employer. For this reason we believe Marie Curie should be looking to improve pay and terms to bring these closer to those received elsewhere.'

Changes must consider impact on services and jobs, says charity

A Marie Curie spokesperson said: ‘We recognise that pay discrepancy is a concern for our staff and the charity has begun work on a strategic review of all of our rewards and benefits to make sure they support our aims and respond to new demands, in particular in community services, where we require a different mix of roles to meet patient needs.

‘At the same time, any future changes must consider affordability, impact on services and jobs and our ability to do the best we can for people at the end of life and those dealing with grief and loss.’


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