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MINISTERS can only improve nurse staffing levels by giving them an above-inflation pay rise, a trade union said today.
Nurses’ union RCN general secretary Pat Cullen slammed ministers for sending out a “terrible message” on nurses’ pay.
Ms Cullen told the RCN annual congress in Glasgow that nursing staff are fearful of how they make ends meet amid the growing cost-of-living crisis.
In the coming days, governments across Britain will begin to announce the next round of NHS pay awards.
“When ministers make their announcements this summer, anything below the current level of inflation is another pay cut,” Ms Cullen said.
“If they want to stand a chance of improving staffing levels and rewarding nursing skill, the award needs to not just match inflation but go 5 per cent above it.”
The RCN chief warned on Monday that patient safety is being put at risk due to crippling nursing staff shortages.
A poll of over 20,000 nurses and midwives found that 83 per cent said staffing levels on their last shift were not sufficient to meet patients’ needs.
