Commenting on the publication of the government’s evidence to the NHS pay review body, UNISON acting head of health Helga Pile said:
“NHS workers should be getting this year’s wage rise in a matter of weeks. But because ministers were so late getting the pay review body process started and didn’t get their own evidence in on time, staff will now have to wait months. This simply isn’t good enough.
“Unless the government gets a handle on pay and gives health workers a fair wage rise this year, many experienced staff will continue to be lost from the service.
“It’s time ministers cast aside the outdated, lengthy and bureaucratic pay review body process.
“Getting health unions and employers in for pay talks would be the fastest, smartest way for the government to start to solve the staffing crisis.
“The government must negotiate a proper pay package for health workers to halt the steady drain of experience from the NHS.
“The public would much rather an efficient NHS, which can see and treat them quickly when they need its help, than have a few extra pennies in their pockets.
“The chancellor should forget about trying to fool the public with tax cuts next week. Instead, his focus should be investing in the NHS workforce to get waiting lists down and prompt treatment for the many people currently too ill to work.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
The article NHS pay key to cutting waiting lists, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.