NHS nursing staff could see a whole new pay scale and a fresh contract negotiated.
The government has launched a consultation over a separate pay scale for nursing staff in the NHS.
It will collate feedback from across the health sector on the merits of a separate pay structure for nursing staff and comes after former Health Secretary Steve Barclay pledged pay reform during last year’s pay talks.
The consultation asks if the current system hinders recruitment and retention, causes barriers to career progression, and if the move would improve things for the workforce.
It will also set out two options, introducing a new separate nursing pay spine while honouring the current Agenda for Change terms and conditions or negotiating a fresh contract for nursing staff.
Health Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “We hugely value the work of nurses, who play a vital role in the NHS.
“We have listened to union concerns and are launching this call for evidence to explore the risks and benefits of a separate pay structure for nurses.
“I want stakeholders to share their expertise and help us collate feedback from across the healthcare sector, ultimately helping to make the NHS a better place to work.”
The current system has failed to keep pace.
Currently, all NHS workers other than doctors and very senior managers are paid and contracted under the same system.
The RCN says the current system has failed to keep pace with the evolution and complexity of nursing roles.
Responding to the launch of the consultation, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen said: “The current pay scale turns 20 years old this year and no longer reflects the skills and expertise in nursing today.
“Despite many years of experience, the vast majority of nurses are on the lowest pay bands possible. The current system only rewards people the further away they get from patient care. This approach is poor for patients and works against career progression for a nurse. Automatic pay band progression is afforded to some staff groups and never to nurses – it is unfair and unsustainable.
“The genuine advance back in 2004 is ailing the profession today – the pay structure has not kept pace with nursing progress. Our workforce is 90% female and a new structure can remove the gender disadvantages at present and dispel completely the idea that nursing is less skilled, women’s work and worthy of low pay and poor treatment.”
The consultation is open for 12 weeks and will close at 11:59pm on 4 April.
