Northern Ireland

Former health minister Robin Swann urges recommended pay increase for nurses be implemented as ballot over strike action takes place

Former health minister Robin Swann has called for a pay recommendation for nurses to be implemented as a ballot for strike action takes place. Picture by Hugh Russell
Former health minister Robin Swann has called for a pay recommendation for nurses to be implemented as a ballot for strike action takes place. Picture by Hugh Russell Former health minister Robin Swann has called for a pay recommendation for nurses to be implemented as a ballot for strike action takes place. Picture by Hugh Russell

FORMER Stormont health minister Robin Swann has urged the Northern Ireland secretary of state to agree a recommended pay increase for nurses ahead of planned strike action in the north.

The result of a ballot on industrial action over pay is to be announced tomorrow by the Royal College of Nursing, with members set to agree their third winter strike in three years.

The UK-wide action will be the most significant by nurses in the history of the NHS, and it is expected that all services excluding emergency departments will be affected.

Robin Swann has written to Chris Heaton-Harris urging him to work towards granting a recommended pay increase for nurses when providing clarity on the 2022/23 Budget.

An independent NHS pay review body recommended in the summer that health service staff in the north receive a pay increase of £1,400, due to the UK's main rate of inflation meaning workers were experiencing a real terms pay cut.

In his letter, Mr Swann said a lack of a Stormont Executive meant he was unable to ensure nurses in the north received pay parity with colleagues in other parts of the UK.

"I appreciate in the midst of the current cost of living crisis and broader soaring inflationary position, that the implementation of the pay review body recommendations alone will likely not avert the prospect of industrial action, however I do believe the delivery of the 2022/23 awards are the very least that our HSC staff deserve," he said.

"It would be the necessary and absolutely essential first-step if we are to avoid the prospect on ongoing industrial action and disruption to HSC services."

Mr Swann states in the letter: "Therefore, I would urge you that when, in the coming weeks, you are providing legislative clarity on the 2022/23 Budget you also please take the opportunity to set the policy on public sector pay to allow our staff to be given as a minimum their pay award for the same year."

He added: "Whether it be now or at some point in the future I am certain that this year’s pay award will be delivered. The choice you appear to have is whether it is delivered now or at a later point but only after more disruption is inflicted and the morale of our already beleaguered HSC staff is hit even further."

The north's Department of Health, which in the absence of an Executive and caretaker ministers is now being run by civil servants, has said it is working with health trusts on protecting "critical services" this winter during the strike action.