The Health Secretary told the RCN he was keen to improve opportunities for nurses.
The suggestion of a dedicated pay spine for nursing staff in England has caused upset among healthcare professionals.
Earlier this week, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced it would be recommending a proposed 5% NHS pay rise to its workers partly on the basis that pay and conditions could be improved in the future through a dedicated pay spine tailored to nursing staff.
While not included in the formal “Offer in Principle” offer to NHS workers, the pledge comes in an open letter from Health Secretary Steve Barclay to RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary Pat Cullen.
In the letter, Mr Barclay explains he wants to work with the RCN to “improve opportunities for nursing career progression”.
He confirms that this will involve “how to take account of the changing responsibilities of nursing staff; and the design and implementation issues, including scope and legal aspects, of a separate pay spine for nursing staff exclusively.”
Other unions say they were unaware of the proposal, explaining it did not form part of any deal, and have cast doubt over whether it will be honoured.
Not part of any formal offer.
A damning statement by the Society and College of Radiographers (SoR) calls into question the pledge by suggesting it is nothing more than a plan to “discuss the RCN proposal for such a pay spine”.
The statement reads, “When the SoR received details of the NHS pay offer we were unaware of a letter from the health secretary to the RCN regarding the RCN’s proposal. Having now seen the letter, which is published on the RCN’s website, it is evident that this is not part of any formal “side offer” from the government.
“It is clear that the letter, however it is spun by the RCN, merely commits Department of Health officials to discuss the RCN proposal for such a pay spine with them.”
The union explained, “It is not something that forms part of the official 2023-24 pay offer made to all unions and is not something that there is a public commitment to achieving from anyone outside the RCN.”
The SoR goes on to explain that health professionals should be treated equally and emphasises that safe staffing and pay are difficulties not just experienced by nursing staff.
Nursing staff across all health unions are expected to vote on the proposed deal in the coming weeks.
