Latest NHS pay settlement accepted despite misgivings

Organisations representing the NHS workforce have accepted the government's latest pay offer for staff working in England.

The offer includes a one percent pay rise for all NHS staff up to pay point 42 and a one-year increment freeze for staff on pay point 34, as well as additional changes to benefit those on the lowest pay scales and a commitment by the government to continue using the independent Pay Review Body structure.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) voted 60-40 in favour of accepting the offer last week, with the NHS Staff Council subsequently backing the decision. It will now come into effect from April 1st 2015.

However, despite agreeing to the new pay structure, the RCN was quick to stress that those in the sector remain unhappy with the settlement, suggesting that its acceptance is attributable to "demoralisation" among staff.

The organisation warned that the pay offer is particularly unfair on senior and specialist nurses, who may choose to leave the NHS rather than put up with it.

Michael Brown, chair of the RCN Council, said: "We know this offer doesn't make up for the years of pay restraint our members have endured … Members may have accepted it, but that doesn't mean they're happy with it."