The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales calls for an urgent response from the Welsh Government to the recent announcement from the UK Chancellor of a 5.5% pay award for nursing staff in England.
Nicky Hughes, RCN Wales Associate Director of Nursing (Employment Relations), said: “Nurses are the backbone of NHS Wales, tirelessly dedicating themselves to the care and well-being of patients. Nursing staff in Wales deserve the same prompt action and recognition on pay as their colleagues in England. They should not have to wait any longer for the pay award that they should have received in April of this year.
“Their unwavering commitment, often under challenging conditions, ensures that the health care system continues to function. Despite long hours and emotional strain, the nursing workforce consistently provide skilled and compassionate care, demonstrating a profound devotion to their profession.”
“The respect of our nursing workforce, and by extension the quality of patient care, should not be sidelined. As a devolved nation the Welsh Government can decide to go above the recommendations of the independent pay review body (PRB) for nursing staff in Wales which would go some way towards the pay restoration they committed to in last year's pay award. “
“RCN Wales is adamant that any pay award for NHS Wales staff must be fully implemented and backdated to April 2024. It is imperative for Eluned Morgan, as the future First Minister, to show leadership and commitment to nursing in Wales.”
Notes to Editors
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world with over half a million members in the UK, including around 30,500 members in Wales.
