23.04.12
Regional pay proposals ‘more efficient’ – DH
Health secretary Andrew Lansley is supporting regional pay for NHS staff, meaning some would be paid less in poorer areas of the country, where private sector salaries are lower.
The Department for Health has submitted written evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body, saying there is “a prima facie case for the introduction of more market facing pay” for some staff, the Financial Times reported. It also suggested that the introduction of such pay would “enable more efficient and effective use of NHS funds.”
The current pay scheme leads to the private sector struggling to compete with the NHS in certain areas where the pay differential is high, the department argues.
The DH said in a statement: “Our evidence shows how more market facing pay could help employers make better use of the NHS pay bill.
“It makes clear that there is a compelling case for implementing market facing pay for all Agenda for Change staff in England, whether they fulfil a support role, work in administration or work on the front line, such as nurses and other clinical staff. Any recommendations must be implemented in a way that is simple, effective and safe.”
But Christina McAnea, head of health at the Unison union, said: “Regional pay would cause skills shortages in so-called low-cost areas, with nurses, midwives and specialised staff being hard to recruit and retain – hitting the care of patients.”
The NHS Pay Review Body is due to report this summer.
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