NURSES across the South West are calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to scrap the one per cent pay cap when he delivers his autumn statement on November 23.
The one per cent cap on pay increases for public sector workers has meant some nurses have seen pay fall by up to 14 per cent in real terms since 2010.
In the South West some NHS Trusts are facing a recruitment crisis.
Nurses are telling us they struggle to cope on their current pay levels and feel undervalued which leads to low morale and staff leaving the profession.
Unless the Chancellor takes urgent steps to ensure nursing pay reflects the complexity and value of the role, the profession is being led into crisis.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are calling for the Chancellor to scrap the one per cent public sector pay cap for NHS staff, award NHS staff with an above-inflation pay increase and return to UK-wide pay rate.
If you would like to show your support for fair pay for nursing staff, visit rcn.org.uk/nursingcounts to find out what we are doing and to sign the petition on nursing pay.
Let’s tell the Chancellor that this is his opportunity to show that the government does indeed value nurses.
JEANNETT MARTIN
RCN South West Regional Director
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