Government announces new pay deal for NHS staff

The government has this week backed an enhanced pay offer to NHS staff worth a total of 52 million pounds.

It is claimed by the Department of Health that this offer will be in line with the public sector pay policy, while also boosting pay and improving training opportunities.

Included in the deal is a salary increase of 400 pounds for staff in pay bands 1 and 2, while those in bands 3 and 4 will receive a 2.5 per cent increase plus 38 pounds.

Staff in bands 5 to 8a will also receive a 2.5 per cent salary increase, plus 38 pounds towards professional regulation fees, while all pay awards will see a 1.5 per cent rise from April this year, with the remainder from the start of November 2007.

Alan Johnson, health secretary, said: “This offer preserves the tough line on public sector pay which we have had to take this year but I believe that it will help low paid staff on the first rung of the career ladder, not only through improved pay, but also through help with training.”

He added that the majority of public sector workers have been subject to the government’s “difficult” pay policy, but reported that such measures are necessary to facilitate unparalleled investment in the health service.

Mr Johnson urged the trade unions to consider this new pay offer.

Earlier this week, a report from the Kings Fund claimed that recent NHS pay reforms will not benefit patients as intended without changes in working practices and productivity of staff.