The government will not pursue a separate pay spine for NHS nurses because it has not received evidence that provides ‘sufficient justification’ for the move, it has announced.
In a statement today, the Department of Health and Social Care said the evidence it received in its consultation did not support a ‘direct link’ between issues with NHS nurses’ pay structure and recruitment and retention outcomes. Though it said it ‘acknowledges that this is likely to be a contributing factor’.
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The government received 11,037 responses to its online survey asking for the risk and benefits of creating a separate pay spine for NHS nursing staff on Agenda for Change (AfC) contracts – the majority being health and care workers and more than half registered nurses.
While the consultation was not about the pay of general practice nurses (GPNs), when it was launched last year GPNs were concerned about what a new pay structure for NHS nurses would mean for those in primary care.
Of the NHS nurses that responded to the consultation:
- 94% thought that a separate nursing pay spine would improve career progression and professional development for nursing staff;
- 89% thought that a separate nursing pay spine would have additional benefits beyond career progression and professional development;
- While 39% thought that separating nursing staff from the current AfC pay arrangements would generate risks or potential unintended consequences.
However, of the individuals that responded from other staff groups:
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- Just 24% thought that a separate nursing pay spine would improve career progression and professional development for nursing staff;
- 17% thought that a separate nursing pay spine would have additional benefits beyond career progression and professional development;
- And 93% thought that separating nursing staff from the current AfC pay arrangements would generate risks or potential unintended consequences.
The government said today: ‘Having carefully considered the evidence that has been submitted, the government has decided not to take forward a separate pay spine for nursing staff.
‘Although the evidence does not support a direct link between issues with the pay structure and recruitment and retention outcomes, the government acknowledges that this is likely to be a contributing factor.
‘The evidence suggests that the reported barriers to career progression caused by the AfC pay structure are not unique to nursing, and we have not seen evidence that would justify addressing these issues for nurses and not for other AfC staff groups.
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‘The responses have also highlighted a number of significant risks with the concept of a separate nursing pay spine. The government’s view is that the risks that have been highlighted could not realistically be mitigated to an acceptable level.’
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