This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64977269

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
NHS 5% pay offer may end bitter dispute in England NHS 5% pay offer may end bitter dispute in England
(42 minutes later)
A 5% pay rise from April has been offered to NHS staff in England, including nurses and ambulance workers.A 5% pay rise from April has been offered to NHS staff in England, including nurses and ambulance workers.
In addition, staff have been offered a one-off payment of at least £1,655 to top up the past year's pay award.In addition, staff have been offered a one-off payment of at least £1,655 to top up the past year's pay award.
Unions are recommending members back the deal after nearly two weeks of talks with ministers, raising hopes the bitter dispute may be coming to an end. Unions are recommending members back the deal, after nearly two weeks of talks with ministers, raising hopes the bitter dispute may be coming to an end.
The offer covers all NHS staff except doctors, who are on a different contract.The offer covers all NHS staff except doctors, who are on a different contract.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said it was a "fair pay rise" which would also protect the government's commitment to halve inflation. Health Secretary Steve Barclay said it was a "fair pay rise" that would also protect the government's commitment to halve inflation.
"I hugely admire the incredible work of NHS staff. I look forward to continuing our work together to make the NHS a better place to work." "I hugely admire the incredible work of NHS staff," he said. "I look forward to continuing our work together to make the NHS a better place to work."
He said there had been movement on both sides and praised the "constructive engagement" of the unions. Mr Barclay said there had been movement on both sides and praised the "constructive engagement" of the unions.
Doctors' strike fallout could take weeks to resolveDoctors' strike fallout could take weeks to resolve
NHS and ambulance staff accept latest pay offerNHS and ambulance staff accept latest pay offer
'Shame it took so long' Fourteen unions were represented at the talks, covering:
Fourteen unions were represented at the talks covering nurses, ambulance staff, physios, midwives and support staff, including cleaners and porters. nurses
The biggest three - the Royal College of Nursing, Unison and the GMB - have all said they are backing the deal. ambulance staff
Unite has said it cannot recommend it to members, but it will put it out to vote. physiotherapists
midwives
support staff, including cleaners and porters
The biggest three - the Royal College of Nursing, Unison and the GMB - are all backing the deal, while Unite the Union has said it cannot recommend it to members but will put it to a vote.
Unison head of health Sara Gorton said: "It's a shame it took so long to get here.Unison head of health Sara Gorton said: "It's a shame it took so long to get here.
"Health workers had to take many days of strike action and thousands more had to threaten to join them to get their unions into the room and proper talks underway." "Health workers had to take many days of strike action and thousands more had to threaten to join them to get their unions into the room and proper talks under way."
She said if her members accepted the deal it would meant a "significant" boost in pay. If her members accepted the deal, it would mean a "significant" boost in pay, Ms Gorton added.
RCN general secretary Pat Cullen added: "Members took the hardest of decisions to go on strike and I believe they have been vindicated today." RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said: "Members took the hardest of decisions to go on strike and I believe they have been vindicated today."
It comes after a winter of industrial action which has seen nurses, ambulance staff and physios all go on strike. It comes after a winter of industrial action, with nurses, ambulance staff and physios all striking.
The unions put further action on hold after the two sides agreed to enter discussions last month. The unions put further action on hold, after the two sides agreed to discussions last month.
'Sigh of relief''Sigh of relief'
NHS staff have seen a pay rise by an average of 4.75% during 2022-23 - with the lowest paid getting the biggest rises - but unions had been asking for above-inflation rises - which at one point would have equated to an increase of more than 14%. NHS staff have seen pay rise by an average of 4.75% during 2022-23 - with the lowest paid receiving the biggest rises - but unions had been asking for above-inflation rises, which at one point, would have equated to an increase of more than 14%.
The one-off payment to top up that pay award starts at £1,655 for the lowest paid staff such as cleaners and porters and rises to just over £2,400 for the most senior frontline roles, such as nurse consultants. For staff in management positions such as directors of nursing and chief finance officers the one-off payment is worth up to £3,789. The one-off payment to top up that pay award starts at £1,655 for the lowest-paid staff such as cleaners and porters and rises to just over £2,400 for the most senior front-line roles such as nurse consultants.
An offer of 3.5% from April for the 2023-24 financial year had been suggested originally by the government, but during the talks ministers agreed to increase this to 5%. The lowest paid will get more. For staff in management positions, such as directors of nursing and chief finance officers, the one-off payment is worth up to £3,789.
Matthew Taylor, of the NHS Confederation, which represents managers, said health leaders will "breathe a sigh of relief". "We now await the decision of union members." The government had originally offered 3.5% from April, for the 2023-24 financial year - but during the talks, ministers agreed to 5%. The lowest paid will receive more.
He also urged the British Medical Association to enter talks - junior doctors took part in a three-day walkout this week in their fight to get a 35% pay rise. Matthew Taylor, of the NHS Confederation, which represents managers, said health leaders would "breathe a sigh of relief". "We now await the decision of union members," he said.
He also urged the British Medical Association to enter talks - junior doctors staged a three-day walkout this week, in their fight for a 35% pay rise.
Why are doctors demanding the biggest pay rise?Why are doctors demanding the biggest pay rise?
They say this is needed to make up for below-inflation wages rises over the past 15 years. They say this is needed to make up for below-inflation wages rises over the past 15 years - but ministers say it is unaffordable.
Ministers have offered talks to the BMA on the same basis as they have held the with the other unions, but the BMA has said no. Ministers have offered the BMA talks on the same basis as with the other unions - but it has declined.
They have said the junior doctors' pay demands are unaffordable. Strike action has also been paused in Wales and Scotland by most unions while new offers are considered. The GMB in Scotland has accepted the Scottish offer, worth 14% over two years.
Strike action has also been paused in Wales and Scotland by most unions while new offers are considered. The GMB in Scotland has announced it will accept the Scottish offer worth 14% over two years.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
NHSNHS
Strike actionStrike action
UnisonUnison