Commenting on the third quarterly report on NHS finances, Karen Jennings,
UNISON Head of Health, said:
“The 1.8bn surplus shows the NHS is now in a stronger financial position.
Patients have the right to expect that this money is spent wisely and
ploughed back into patient care.
“It must be remembered that the stronger financial position has been
achieved on the backs of NHS staff. They have contributed through greater
efficiency, but there have also been job losses and below inflation pay
awards. With finance available its time to give staff a decent pay rise instead
of holding them to a 2% pay limit.”