Commenting on the government’s progress report published today (Monday) on its commitment to recruit 50K nurses by 2024, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:
“Taking action on wellbeing, flexible working and career development for NHS staff are all important steps. But unless the retention package for nurses and other health workers includes measures to address their pay, then more will continue to leave.
“Many staff are underpaid for the job they do. They undertake extra hours to keep the service going but aren’t properly rewarded. They’re also struggling to keep up with spiralling household bills.
“Ministers can take action on all these issues. Nurses and other health staff will be hoping the reforms start with an inflation-busting pay rise.”
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.
