03 May 2002
At the union's annual health conference in Brighton, Prentis dismissed the chancellor's pledge that he would not feed inflation by allowing the extra cash he has promised to the NHS to be funnelled into large pay rises. Instead, he wants the money to be used to develop the service's capacity by increasing staff numbers and training places, buying new equipment and building care facilities.
But Prentis claimed that it was 'ridiculous' to separate investment in public services from the pay of frontline staff. 'It's not just about doctors and nurses – vital as they are – it's about the value we place on the whole health team,' he said.
Unison's support for reform was conditional on the government honouring its commitment to implement the restructuring of NHS pay scales – an initiative known as Agenda for Change.
'It is conditional on treating all NHS staff fairly. Fair terms and conditions, so that talented people are attracted to the health service, so that staff are supported and encouraged – not denigrated and demoralised.'
PFmay2002
