Hard-working nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants in Derry and throughout the North deserve an overdue pay increase, Foyle SDLP MP Mark Durkan has said.
Mr Durkan was speaking after being contacted in recent weeks by a number of nurses who highlighted that the deterioration in pay standards combined with service stresses was having a negative impact on professional morale.
The Foyle MP has also co-sponsored a parliamentary motion at Westminster condemning the British Government’s decision to reject the Independent Pay Review Body’s recommendation that all NHS (National Health Service) staff receive a one per cent cost of living pay increase.
Mr Durkan said: “I am deeply concerned that the deterioration in nursing pay standards combined with service stresses is having a negative impact on professional morale.
“The government has restricted pay rises for nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants for over four years.
“The projected ongoing flat pay freeze for hard pressed public servants especially in health and care services was one of my reasons for voting against the Budget.
“Nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants have also rightly highlighted the government inconsistency and cynicism in variously invoking and ignoring the Independent Pay Review Body.”
Mr Durkan concluded: “It is particularly invidious to conscript the Independent Pay Review Body to re-profile nursing pay and conditions as the source for funding policy changes to a seven day care model.”
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