Health pay

Health staff: worth every penny and more

UNISON has warned the government not to skimp on the NHS wages bill next year.

The warning, issued alongside 13 other health-service unions, came as the union presented its evidence in support of a pay rise to the independent pay review body.

Together, the unions are calling for a substantial, above-inflation pay award for NHS staff next year, backed by the biggest ever survey of NHS staff.

The evidence points to a spiralling cost of living and deteriorating morale, with more than half of health workers being sick of their jobs - 60% have considered leaving the health service in the past year.