The deal will see the pay of an experienced frontline nurse rise to £37,664.
Scotland’s nurses have narrowly voted to accept a deal that will end their ongoing dispute over pay.
Just over 50% of eligible Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members took part in the consultative ballot, with 53.4% voting to accept the offer which awards NHS workers an average rise of 6.5%.
The deal will see the pay of an experienced frontline nurse rise to £37,664 – nearly £5,000 more than their counterparts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Alongside the pay award, the Scottish government also pledged to examine a 36-hour working week and examine if any Band 5 roles need to be rebanded to better reflect roles and responsibilities.
By accepting the deal nurses in Scotland have officially ended their formal dispute over pay and working conditions.
Nursing staff in England are preparing to vote on if to accept a 5% pay award.
Narrowly voted to accept.
The RCN has warned the devolved government must “live up” to their promises.
Colin Poolman, Director, RCN Scotland said: “Members have narrowly voted to accept this offer but Scottish government must be under no illusion, much more is required for nursing staff to feel valued and to ensure Scotland has the nursing workforce it needs.
“They must live up to their promises. The Agenda for Change framework must be modernised to recognise the clinical skills and expertise of nursing staff and further improvements to pay, terms and conditions are needed in the years ahead.”
Chair of the RCN’s Scotland board Julie Lamberth added, “the chronic staff shortages and low morale that led to the strike mandate are still very real.
Ms Lamberth added, “Scotland’s new First Minister must ensure that the nursing voice is listened to, that our contribution is recognised through the Agenda for Change review and the commitment to a Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce delivers real change.”
