Responding today to the Welsh government announcement of a pay settlement with the British Medical Association (BMA) and doctors in Wales, Helen Whyley, Executive Director of Royal College of Nursing Wales said:
“All NHS workers deserve a proper pay rise, but nursing staff are still waiting at the back of the queue. They feel let down and misled by this government."
“The repeated firm position from the Welsh government that there was no money in the pot for NHS nursing staff salaries was either untrue or demonstrates that they can’t manage their finances. Either way it shows a total disregard to principle of equity of approach to NHS negotiations.”
“Actions speak louder than words. This announcement comes only days after the First Minister opened our annual RCN Congress on home soil in Newport, speaking of his unwavering support for nursing staff. It shows his government support is merely hot air and no real commitment. His government have failed to fulfil the promises made to nurses in last year’s pay award and now they add insult to that injury by substantially increasing only the doctors’ pay award for 2023/24.”
“Congress saw the RCN launch its general election manifesto, with the leading priority being a substantial pay rise for all nursing staff. The nursing workforce highlighted inadequate staffing levels, treating patients in corridors, limited or no access to continuing professional development and the increased demands of delivering patient care. All of these pressures lead to severe moral distress, leading to an increase in nursing staff so overwhelmed with pressure from work that they even considered taking their own lives. This is unacceptable."
“All health care staff deserve to be paid fairly and be recognised for the safety critical work that they do. Our members will be deeply discouraged to hear that their sacrifices and unrelenting efforts during the RCN Wales pay campaign in Wales has been cast aside by Welsh government."
“We will be urgently raising this with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the First Minister urging them to address fair pay for nursing now.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Wales’ First Minister address at RCN Congress on Sunday 2 June. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the First Minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething reflected on the role of nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and the range of roles undertaken by nursing staff. “You’re part of a safety-critical profession. I want the country to understand the value of nursing and the branches of nursing you provide.”
RCN’s annual Congress spotlighted the harrowing headlines in nursing across the UK, including unsafe staffing levels, normalised care in inappropriate settings and the alarming rise in nurses considering taking their own lives.
Welsh government still have not made good on their promise for pay restoration and implementation of the non-pay elements outlined in their lates NHS Wales offer, including statutory provision of CPD, flexible working and eliminating corridor care as normal practice. Read the offer in full here Welsh Government's offer in principle | Royal College of Nursing (rcn.org.uk)
The RCN launched its General Election manifesto on Monday 3 June: Publications | Royal College of Nursing (rcn.org.uk)
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.
For more information, contact the RCN Wales communications and media team on 02920 680 769 or mediawales@rcn.org.uk
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