Northern Ireland

Department of Health criticised over delays in evidence to pay body

Kevin McAdam of Unite has joined criticism of the Department of Health over delays providing information to the NHS Pay Review Body
Kevin McAdam of Unite has joined criticism of the Department of Health over delays providing information to the NHS Pay Review Body

THE body that advises government on NHS pay has hit out at delays by the Department of Health in providing key information.

The UK's NHS Pay Review Body criticised the "extremely late response" from the Northern Ireland Executive, which was given its workforce figures from the department.

In unusually hard-hitting language, the review authors say they were forced to recommend a pay deal for the north's healthcare workers - including doctors, dentists, nurses and all support staff - based on "limited evidence available" and they are not prepared to do so again.

They also stress the need for future "transparency".

"We have not had time to explore the recruitment, retention and motivation issues in any depth, or to conduct oral evidence, to run as full a process as for the other countries (England, Scotland and Wales)," the authors state.

"Such a shortened process has risks and we are uncomfortable about this. We have proceeded with a recommendation on an exceptional basis but are not prepared to short cut the process again in this way.

"…transparency is essential for the ongoing integrity of the process."

The review body recommended a one per cent pay rise for all NHS workers in the north for 2016/17, which was accepted by health minister Simon Hamilton.

A breakdown in talks between former minister Jim Wells and trade unions over pay led to unprecedented strikes by the majority of frontline healthcare and support workers last year.

The pay review body, which is funded by the British government, collected evidence from the four health departments across the NHS as well as employers and trade unions.

Kevin McAdam of the Unite union said it was very unusual for it to "have a go" at one of its funders.

"The deadline for submissions to the pay review body was last November and final figures were not submitted by the department until last month," he said.

“For the past two years, health ministers in Northern Ireland have ignored the recommendations of the body."

Janice Smyth, director of the Royal College of Nursing in the north, which threatened to take industrial action over pay, said it welcomed the one per cent rise for next year - but "totally accepted" the body's concerns.

"We are very keen to get engaged to bridge the funding gap between staff here and the rest of the UK," she added.

Health minister Simon Hamilton did not respond to the criticism following a query from the Irish News.

In a statement, a department spokesman said it "indicated" it would provide evidence by February 5 and forwarded it the "next working day".

"The minister's early acceptance of recommendations reflects the value he places on the contribution of the pay review bodies, and the department looks forward to continuing engagement in the year ahead," she added.

" ...A one per cent pay increase was recommended in line with the rest of the UK, and despite the challenging budgetary climate the minister accepted the recommendations stating this was an appropriate award for hardworking staff."