Responding to the NHS pay announcement for nursing staff in Wales, RCN Wales Executive Director Helen Whyley said: “The RCN today welcomes the Welsh government announcement that it will implement the recommendations of the independent pay review body (PRB) for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Wales. Nursing staff have been eagerly awaiting the Welsh government decision since early July, which applies from April 2024.
“The PRB recommendations acknowledge the tireless dedication and essential role of nursing staff, but investment in NHS staff is imperative to fully reflect their contributions and to make the profession attractive to future nurses.“Last year the Welsh government made a commitment to pay restoration for NHS staff. Now they must decide how to achieve that over time. The RCN expects to see a clear route to fair pay restoration – making up for a very serious loss of earnings in the last 15 years.
“Stagnant salaries at a time of spiralling prices have forced too many to leave nursing and deterred others from joining. Fair pay is vital to recruiting and retaining nursing staff, to filling the thousands of vacant nurse jobs and giving people the care they deserve.
“Nurses are the ever-present, safety critical workforce across the whole of health and care. Our wages do not reflect that, and still won’t after today. We will be pushing the Welsh government to show us their plans for improving NHS pay – it is vital to recruit and retain nursing staff. We will consult with our members on whether they see today’s statement as enough of a start on this pay journey.”
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Notes to Editors
The PRB recommended a 5.5% increase for all Agenda for Change pay bands. Staff employed on these terms and conditions include nurses, cleaners, porters and healthcare support workers. In accepting these recommendations, we have committed to:
Uplifting all pay points for Agenda for Change staff by 5.5% on a consolidated basis, from 1 April 2024.
Adding intermediate pay points at Agenda for Change Bands 8a and above after two years.
Working with the UK Government about how to take forward the pay review body recommendations on Agenda for Change pay structures.
