02 August 2002
The Department of Health opened discussions on the structure, 'Agenda for Change', three years ago but it now hopes to have a deal agreed by the end of September.
In June, the RCN's frustration at lack of progress peaked as hospital consultants were offered their own deal, which includes fixed pay rises worth 10% over three years. If this is approved, it will raise consultants' starting salaries to £63,000 a year.
The RCN responded with a threat to walk away from the talks if progress had not been made by July 27. Although this was viewed by most as an empty threat, it did prompt the improved offer from the department.
In a statement to Public Finance, the union said: 'The RCN council discussed Agenda for Change on July 27. Though there is nothing concrete to report and nothing has been agreed, we are not pulling out of the negotiations.'
Though the RCN was encouraged by the offer, its leaders were furious that some details of it were made public before they had received any information.
Last week, Health Secretary Alan Milburn hinted that the recruitment and retention difficulties experienced by NHS employers in the Southeast would lead to higher pay in this area.
Ministers are increasingly of the view that the Southeast's public sector recruitment problems will only be solved by bigger wage packets. The Department of Health's figures show that there are 4,000 nursing vacancies in London – twice the national average.
'There's a different labour market in the South and we need to take note of that as we construct a new pay system,' Milburn said.
The department's offer is a three-year pay deal worth 10%. It includes higher starting salaries and increased cost-of-living supplements for nurses working in high-cost areas.
There would be nine pay bands, an increased NHS minimum wage and higher starting salaries for qualified nurses and other health care professionals.
PFaug2002
