18 April 2003
Members of the royal colleges of nursing and midwifery have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new pay system that will raise their salaries by an average of 12.5% over three years.
In results announced this week, 88% of Royal College of Nursing members backed the government's Agenda for Change proposals, while 93% of midwives supported the deal.
In return for the extra pay and, potentially, individual salary rises that will be linked to an evaluation of staff members' duties, the nightmarishly complex NHS pay system will be simplified and staff will work more flexibly.
The RCN said the 32% turnout was one of its highest ever.
Its chair of council, Jill Jarvis, said: 'This has been a historic vote for the Royal College of Nursing. We have done our best to respond to members' questions and issues on Agenda for Change and the process has been democratic and fully consultative. We acknowledge the strength of feeling from the members and are very pleased with the support that Agenda for Change has received.'
Dame Karlene Davis, the Royal College of Midwives general secretary, added: 'It is clear that midwives look forward to a better pay system, a system in which their profession is respected and developed.'
The results will be a fillip to the government. Last year, hospital consultants rejected a pay deal that had been agreed with British Medical Association leaders, and it cannot be sure that a ballot on the proposed GP contract due next month will return a 'yes' vote.
Also next month, Unison will ballot its health members, including nurses, on whether the proposals should be implemented in 12 pilot sites.
Health minister John Hutton said this week's votes were encouraging. 'Nurses and midwives have voted for reformed working practices and new responsibilities designed to improve the quality of care patients receive,' he said.
'We are determined to ensure the commitment of NHS staff to NHS patients is reflected in the fairer system of NHS pay which Agenda for Change brings.'
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