RCN criticises government for ‘cheap’ approach to seven-day working

The government has come under criticism from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) over accusations that it is seeking to underpay staff even as it attempts to introduce seven-day NHS working.

As part of plans for seven-day NHS service provision, the Department of Health has made a submission to the Pay Review Body (PRB), outlining options that could lead to certain payments to nursing staff being axed or reduced, in addition to other radical changes.

Possible mooted solutions include scrapping unsocial hours payments for nursing staff for working on Saturdays and Sundays, only removing them for working Saturdays, lowering pay rates for Sundays and national holidays, and changing night-shift start times.

The RCN has criticised these proposals sharply, suggesting this would make life difficult for staff and put people off taking up NHS careers at a time when medical recruitment has become difficult.

Tom Sandford, director of RCN England, said: "The aim of providing quality patient care seven days a week should be supported, but attempting to do it on the cheap will only be harmful to patients."

The government is yet to fully confirm its plans for seven-day working in the NHS, which are designed to make it easier for patients to gain access to care.