Responding to the commencement today (Tuesday) of the next consultation on health workers pay by the NHS Pay Review Body, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:
“Staff are facing what could be the worst winter ever. The patient backlog continues to rise, staffing shortages are worsening by the minute, and now there’s uncertainty over the impact of the Omicron variant.
“What NHS employees need is the promise of a fair pay rise. The government mustn’t dither and delay like last time. Ministers have to ensure a fair wage boost is top of their to-do list.
“A properly funded pay award will help the NHS withstand present and future pressures.
“Many health workers are still to receive their much-delayed pay rise from this year. Anything less than a commitment to an inflation-busting rise is likely to intensify the current staffing crisis.
“This can’t be reduced to a face-off between staff numbers and pay. It’s crucial to invest in both to ensure the NHS is fit for the year ahead.”
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:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
