Responding to the launch of the Green Party manifesto, RCN Acting General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, said:
“Pledges to boost the pay of NHS workers are positive, but the money in these plans doesn’t appear sufficient to deliver the substantial above inflation pay rise nursing staff need. There is also no specific promise to restore nursing pay like there is for junior doctors.
“Abolishing tuition fees and restoring grants for students are vital to nurse recruitment. Providing financial support and incentives can turn the tide on a nursing workforce crisis and a Long Term Workforce Plan way off target.
“It’s encouraging to see pledges that address other critical issues facing the nursing profession, including the national scandal of exploitation of migrant care staff across social care. Nursing staff will also welcome a commitment to repeal anti-trade union laws.
“Services delivered in the community desperately need investment to end the national emergency in our hospitals, but more will be needed to ensure a long term and sustainable funding approach to social care, not just more quick fixes. Improving care workers’ pay, as laid out in the manifesto, can help with the cost of living and ease widespread workforce shortages across the sector.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
RCN analysis has shown student nurse numbers are declining to the extent that the official NHS workforce plan for England will be over 10,000 off target by 2025. More information available here: NHS Long Term Workforce Plan will be 10,000 new nurses behind target by 2025 | Royal College of Nursing (rcn.org.uk)
