Workforce
NHS staff in Scotland offered 9% pay deal
The Scotish government said the proposals would mean that by 2021 NHS Scotland staff would be significantly better paid than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK.
NHS staff in Scotland have been offered a 9% pay deal.
The proposed deal, which is being considered by healthcare unions, would see a 9% rise over three years for around 147,000 staff NHS staff who earn under £80,000 a year. Those staff earning above £80,000 will be given a flat-rate increase of £1,600 a year.
The deal would see the basic pay of a newly qualified staff nurse rise by £2058 to £24459.
Nurses, Midwives, Paramedics and allied healthcare professionals are just some of who would benefit from the deal. Doctors, dentists and senior managers not under agenda for change will be exempt.
Healthcare unions will consultant their members on the deal until the 15th of August.
The Scottish government said the proposals would mean that by 2021 NHS Scotland staff would be significantly better paid than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK.
The deal comes only weeks after healthcare unions in England voted “overwhelming” to accept a 6.% rise over three years.
Our NHS is built on the hard work of staff.
Announcing the deal, Health Secretary Shona Robison, said: “Our NHS is built on the dedication and hard work of healthcare staff up and down the country.
“They are our health service’s beating heart, and I’m proud to be offering them this significant pay rise in recognition for the work they do caring for the people of Scotland.
“We were the first government in the UK to lift the pay cap, and today I can confirm we intend to deliver a pay rise of at least 9 percent to our hardworking NHS ‘Agenda for Change’ staff over the next three years.
“We’re doing all we can to recruit new talent and retain existing staff, ensuring NHS Scotland has the right skills and experience to meet future demand and rising expectations. Today’s announcement will help make our NHS an attractive employment option for many.
“In this 70th anniversary year I am delighted that we have been able to offer NHS Scotland staff a pay settlement which not only matches NHS England deal – but exceeds it.”
This is the best possible deal.
Theresa Fyffe, RCN Scotland Director, said; “This is the largest pay rise offered to nurses in 10 years and we believe it is the best deal that can be achieved through negotiation at this time.
“It has been a long road to get to this point. Over a year ago we launched the “Scrap the Cap” campaign which paved the way for these negotiations. It’s a success story that shows how our members can have an impact on the government economic policy.
“It is now time for members to make up their own minds on whether to accept it or reject it.”
Emma Currer, the Royal College of Midwives Scotland Lead Negotiator, said: “This is a good deal for our midwife and maternity support worker members. It will see them getting a real increase in their pay across all the pay bands after years of pay freezes and stagnation.
“This is something the RCM and other unions have been fighting for. This is a good deal and one that we believe is the best that can be achieved in the current economic climate.
“However, we also see this as the starting point for better pay for NHS staff, not the end point. We will be opening a consultation with our members on this very soon. I would encourage members to respond to this and it is a deal that I encourage our members to accept.”
Concerns come after England saw a very poor voting turnout during the consultation period of their proposed pay deal.
Workforce
Nursing vacancies hit record high leaving patient care at risk
It can be “dangerous” when there aren’t enough nurses to provide care.
There are now a record 43,671 empty nursing posts in the NHS in England alone.
NHS figures show that there are now a record 43,671 empty nursing posts in the NHS in England alone, according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
The College says a global shortage of nurses alongside the removal of the nursing bursary has compounded this figure which now sees 12% of posts through the NHS in England without a full-time Registered Nurse.
Figures from the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) show a 29% overall decline in applications to undergraduate courses since 2015, when the bursary was cut by the Government.
In a report released today titled ‘Standing up for patient and public safety’, the Royal College of Nursing outlines the evidence of the need for a new law that allocates specific legal responsibilities for workforce planning and supply.
A new law is needed.
The report states that in order to address the record number of vacancies, and the gap between the numbers of health and care staff needed to deliver patient care vs. how many are in the system.
Figures included in the report reveal that the number of nursing staff has consistently failed to keep up with the dramatic rise in demand for services and the number of emergency admissions.
The report finally makes a further call for legal clarity on the roles, responsibilities, as well as accountabilities, for workforce planning and supply.
In September, after pressure from RCN members, NHS England and NHS Improvement asked the Government for clarity over who is accountable for the nursing workforce.
‘Nurses are working harder than ever’.
Dame Donna Kinnair, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing said: “Nurses are working harder than ever to deliver safe patient care but are being held back by a system that is legally lacking teeth. Despite the public, patients and nurses all agreeing that clarity is needed on responsibilities for delivering enough nurses, we have yet to see any government pledge anything of the like, and as a result are staring down the barrel at a record 43k empty nursing posts.
“We know how dangerous it can be when there aren’t enough nurses to provide care, but at present, almost all accountability rests with the frontline nurse working on the understaffed ward, rather than those responsible for the system they work in.
“We believe the time has come for change and that patient care was future-proofed by law, and that from the government down, decision makers are held to account.
Workforce
NHS calls for clarity on who is accountable for the nursing workforce
Figures suggest there are around 40,000 unfilled nursing vacancies throughout the NHS in England.
Healthcare leaders are calling for legislation to be included in the forthcoming Queen’s Speech.
NHS England and NHS Improvement have called on the Government to clarify who is accountable for the nursing workforce and the chronic problems it’s currently facing.
Following ongoing pressure from nursing unions, the two organisations met today and recommend that the government should “revisit with partners whether national responsibilities and duties in relation to workforce functions are sufficiently clear.”
With around 40,000 unfilled nursing vacancies in the NHS in England and thousands more throughout social care, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) believes the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care should be legally accountable for the workforce.
Along with other health care leaders, Dame Donna Kinnair, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN, written to the Government calling for the legislation proposed by NHS England and NHS Improvement to be included in the forthcoming Queen’s Speech.
Staff shortages have reached ‘alarming levels’.
Responding to the news, Dame Donna Kinnair said: “We are pleased that NHS England and NHS Improvement has recognised the concerns of RCN members and the public and has stated that the issue of accountability for workforce planning and supply remains an area that needs be resolved.”
“In the week after we have launched a major public facing campaign calling for investment in the nursing workforce as well as for accountability to be clarified in the law, yet again, the case is made for this to be taken seriously.
“We are clear that government is well placed to determine how accountability can be clarified in law.
Adding; “Staff shortages have reached alarming levels with at least 40,000 vacant registered nurse posts in the NHS in England alone with thousands more vacancies in public health and social care.
“We now hope government will listen to this message, as well as the voices of the thousands of members that responded to the NHS England engagement process, and bring forward this legislation, taking the opportunity to include accountability in government and throughout the health and care system, for workforce planning and supply.”
Mental health and learning disability services are deteriorating, says CQC
Growing pressure on services alongside chronic staffing issues risk creating a ‘perfect storm’ for patients.
Nursing vacancies hit record high leaving patient care at risk
It can be "dangerous" when there aren’t enough nurses to provide care.
Healthcare staff have a ‘professional responsibility’ to get the flu vaccine
This seasons flu vaccination target is set “above 90%”.
Second nurse in a week dies on their way home from work
She was on her way home after finishing her night shift when the accident occurred.
- Newsroom2 weeks ago
Second nurse in a week dies on their way home from work
Clinical Updates2 weeks agoNurses’ ‘worry’ better than most early warning scores, finds study
Workforce4 weeks agoNurses need to be kinder to each other or patients will be negatively affected, warns Senior Nurse
Features7 days agoA lack of proper breaks is leaving tired nurses driving dangerously