THE Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is asking readers to sign a petition (rcn.org.uk/nursingcounts) demanding an end to the one per cent cap on nurses’ pay.

Public sector pay restraint has seen nurses wages drop in real terms by 14 per cent since 2010. It was recently announced that MPs would receive a further 1.4 per cent pay rise this year – MPs will have received pay increases amounting to nearly 14 per cent since 2010 – and yet the government has maintained a one per cent pay cap on NHS staff, who work long shifts during unsociable hours trying to keep the nation healthy.

Nurses enjoy a diverse and rewarding career that really makes a difference but they must be wondering exactly what they have to do to merit a pay award which reflects the value of their work.

There are currently 24,000 nurse vacancies across the UK. Our NHS is already struggling to cope with hospital bed shortages, long waiting times and understaffed wards.

More than ever, the government should be encouraging people to consider nursing as a career and ensuring nursing staff don’t leave.

The evidence is strong that nurse numbers have a direct impact on patient health.

The RCN needs to collect 100,000 signatures for Parliament to consider nurses’ pay for debate. By signing readers could make a difference.

JEANNETT MARTIN
Director, RCN South West region