New research reveals nurses’ salary has fallen 20% in real term pay cuts since 2012.
The research commissioned by the Royal College of Nursing found that nurses are effectively working unpaid one day a week because of a decade of pay cuts.
This reduction, at a time of a cost-of-living crisis means nursing staff are facing incredible financial hardship.
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‘This exploitation of nursing staff cannot be tolerated any longer’ warned RCN Chief Executive, Pat Cullen.
‘Ministers have stubbornly resisted the requirement to address the workforce crisis, including paying nursing fairly, instead rejecting any opportunity to act.’
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said ‘we hugely value the contribution of our hardworking nurses, which is why we are giving over one million NHS workers a pay rise of at least £1,400 this year.’
Findings come as the ballot of 300,000 RCN members closes in less than a week that will determine whether members will strike for the first time in the RCN’s history.
‘NHS leaders are asking the new Prime Minister to urgently set out a national, fully funded workforce plan to fill the gaps and make sure the health service can continue to care for and meet the needs of its patients as safely and as quickly as possible’ said Dr Layla McCay Director of Policy at the NHS Confederation.