Posted 29 March 2023 - 14:29
Posted 29 March 2023 - 14:29
News
NHS pay rise: bank nurses to lose out on part of agreed deal
Bank staff in Wales will be locked out of unconsolidated, one-off payment that formed part of the Cardiff government’s top-offer agreed by union members
Bank staff in Wales will be locked out of unconsolidated, one-off payment that formed part of the Cardiff government’s top-offer agreed by union members
Bank nurses in Wales have been told they will not receive a one-off payment negotiated as part a new pay deal for NHS staff.
After negotiations with the Welsh government, NHS nurses and other healthcare staff were offered an additional 3% pay rise for 2022-23, on top of the 4% already on the table. Half of the additional money is a consolidated rise that will be permanent, the remaining 1.5% is a one-off payment. For a band 5 nurse, this element will be worth an extra £450 on average across the year.
But NHS bank staff have now been told they do not qualify for that one-off payment. RCN Wales director Helen Whyley said the college has called on the government to reconsider, insisting that bank staff deserve the payment.
‘One of the NHS and Welsh government’s biggest challenges is to reduce the amount spent on agency nursing. To do this it says it wants to incentivise bank shifts, but it is actively driving bank nurses on to agency by not valuing them sufficiently and paying them this one-off payment,’ she said.
‘It is no wonder bank nurses are bitterly disappointed in the Welsh government’s attitude.’
Steep rise in spending on NHS agency staff
The Welsh government spent £320 million on NHS agency staff in 2022 compared to £250 million in 2021.
Figures revealed in a freedom of information request show in 2021-22, £139 million of the total was spent on agency nurses, midwives and health visitors.
Alongside the pay rise, a number of non-pay elements were included in the government’s offer to health service staff, including a pledge to reduce agency spend and improve retention. While RCN members voted to reject the latest offer, members of other unions, through the Wales Partnership Forum, narrowly voted to accept the offer, creating an overall majority. So although the RCN remains in dispute over the offer, the government has a mandate to enforce a deal.
RCN remains in pay talks, as it calls on ministers to rethink bank staff stance
In a bid to head off further nursing strikes, ministers reopened negotiations with RCN Wales, but it is unclear whether the talks will affect pay for 2022-23, or focus on the 2023-24 award.
A Welsh government spokesperson said they could not comment while discussions with health unions continue.
In February health and social services minister Eluned Morgan said the government would continue to work with unions to implement the pay offer and to begin discussions on the 2023-24 pay award.
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