The next government is being urged to hold talks on nurses’ pay immediately after the election to avoid a worsening delay in a wage rise.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) warned of a six-month delay to this year’s NHS pay increase if negotiations are not held in the weeks after the election.
The pay award could be delayed until parliament sits again in September, reaching bank accounts only from November, according to the RCN.
Being forced to treat patients in inappropriate spaces is unsafe, undignified and unacceptable.
— The RCN (@theRCN) June 3, 2024
Our new report launched today shows the extent to which corridor care has become normalised and demands action to eradicate it across the UK.
Read more. https://t.co/MEEn6xrtwE pic.twitter.com/EjbvteVCkf
Professor Nicola Ranger, the RCN’s acting general secretary, made the call in her keynote speech at the college’s annual congress in Newport, south Wales, on Monday.
The RCN published its election manifesto with a number of recommendations, including a “substantial” pay rise for nursing staff.
It also wants an end to patients being treated in corridors, safety-critical staffing ratios, changes to immigration law to allow families to remain united and protections for staff raising concerns.
The NHS Pay Review Body had been expected to report to the Department of Health and Social Care by the end of May.
RCN members in the NHS in England are still formally in dispute over pay, terms and conditions since last year, when they mounted a campaign of industrial action.
They have not been balloted for strike action in the last 12 months.
Ms Ranger said: “Ministers must negotiate through the summer to get a deal done quickly. NHS workers deserve a fair award and it is unfair to keep them guessing.
“Whoever the prime minister and health secretary will be, can meet and negotiate.
“Long delays and disappointing awards would fail to move the debate on from the last two years.”
