Opinion

Health service pay issue must be resolved

With health workers on the picket line all the signs are that we are heading into a 'winter of discontent' in this vital part of the public sector in Northern Ireland.

The question for employers is what can be done to address the deeply held concerns of staff and mitigate the disruption to services.

From a public perspective, the main brunt of that disruption will be felt in the health service where a significant number of workers, including nursing, ambulance service, support services, administration, clerical, social services and social care, are taking action.

In the first wave of planned action beginning on Monday, Unison members based in sterile and domestic services across health trusts took part in strikes.

Specialist staff who took to the picket line explained how they had worked extra hours in the run up to the strike to ensure there were sufficient supplies of sterile equipment for vital procedures.

Health trusts later confirmed that no procedures were cancelled as a result of strike action.

However, the impact of the strikes was felt yesterday at a number of centres for adults with learning disabilities in the northern trust area which closed until lunchtime due to industrial action affecting transport.

It is unfortunate that we have now reached the point where healthcare staff feel they have no other option but to go on strike in a bid to improve their pay and conditions.

There will be considerable public sympathy for workers who are being paid considerably less than their counterparts doing the same job in the rest of the NHS.

Northern Ireland has fallen behind in terms of pay but the crisis in our health system goes beyond basic salaries.

Glaring gaps in staffing levels mean that workers are struggling to cope with heavier workloads, which is a major concern in terms of patient safety.

It is difficult for the public to understand how tens of millions of pounds can be spent on temporary nurses yet we are told the money simply isn't there for a pay rise that restores parity with other parts of the NHS.

Civil service head David Sterling has said there are 'no easy fixes' but urges dialogue as 'the best way forward.'

Clearly, some way has to be found to resolve this issue, sooner rather than later.