NHS rebanding: nurses’ battle for thousands in back pay
Posted 21 November 2024 - 15:20
Two district nurses who claim they are together owed around £90,000 in back pay after their NHS role evaluation say they are fighting for fairness and respect
Two NHS nurses whose roles were re-evaluated from band 6 to band 7 claim they are owed around £90,000 in back pay after being denied their higher salaries for six years.
A job review in 2019 that recommended the change for district nurses Shona Middleton and Cathy Fugaccia’s roles to reflect their required responsibilities and skills, including prescribing.
NHS employer’s failure to honour back pay condemned
But they say after initially accepting the job review outcome – to include back pay to 2018 – NHS Tayside has not implemented the banding change. This means each has missed out on around £7,000 a year since 2018, with the GMB Union estimating they have lost out on between £40,000 to £50,000 each.
The union said the employer’s treatment of the nurses was a ‘farce’ and ‘beyond deplorable’.
‘Simply trying to be paid fairly for the job we do’
Ms Middleton, who has been a district nurse in Angus, Scotland, for 27 years said: ‘We are frustrated and sometimes angry, but most of all, we just feel disappointed in the health board.
‘Our role was assessed as band 7 years ago due to our advanced practice, but the health board has refused to implement the decision. We’ve been given one explanation after another, but the goalposts keep changing.
‘We are simply trying to be paid fairly for the job we do and have done for years. It’s about fairness and respect.’
Ms Fugaccia, who has been a district nurse since 1993, said the long struggle for recognition has taken a personal toll.
‘We have our job to do, but for years, this issue has been a constant burden – it’s exhausting. After finishing work, I spend hours writing emails to explain things that have already been explained time and time again. It’s not complicated, but every time we feel like we’re making progress, we’re right back at square one.’
NHS Tayside has failed and abandoned both nurses, says union
GMB Scotland’s NHS organiser Karen Leonard said: ‘The treatment of these skilled nurses is beyond deplorable. It’s been a farce and reveals nothing but disrespect for skilled and committed workers who deserve far better.
‘These nurses have been failed and abandoned by NHS Tayside and the board’s new leadership could and should have taken the opportunity to turn the page.’
The matter is now due to go to an employment tribunal. If successful, the nurses will only be able to claim for up to two years' back pay.
NHS Tayside was approached for comment.
In other news