The first results from an external review of the Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) miscalculation of the NHS pay deal have been published.
An independent external review, carried out by the assurer services division of Electoral Reform Services Limited, found a ‘lack of leadership’ when enforcing a communication strategy.
‘The inconsistencies in the decision making that went into the choice of language is one indicator that a lack of leadership in the implementation of the communications strategy is a key finding from this analysis,’ said the report.
‘We have evidence through interview and in the documentation that the Lead Negotiator provided responses, to at least two member queries (early May and end of June), that appear to be either inaccurate or misleading in relation to the back dating of the 3% to the 1st April for all members.’
The review is set to continue for the next 2-3 months, but these initial findings have been published prior to the Extraordinary General Meeting – taking place on 28 September in Birmingham.
The review is expected to expose how the RCN miscalculated the pay deal, identify where things went wrong, and provide recommendations to ensure mistakes are not repeated.
‘This initial report goes some way to detailing mistakes that were made earlier this year. We thank the Electoral Reform Services for the way in which it continues to conduct the review and await the second part,’ said the RCN Council in a statement.
‘We urge members to read these early findings before voting in the Extraordinary General Meeting. They show that, in places, the RCN’s understanding and communication of the NHS pay deal in England was not of the standard that members should expect - for that we apologise again today.’
‘This report will inform the EGM called for by members and the second document with clear recommendations will come later this autumn.’