• Government and health unions set to agree three-year pay deal for NHS staff.
• would constitute first meaningful pay rise for NHS staff since 2010. 
  
  

Responding to reports that the government and health unions are close to agreeing a three-year pay deal for NHS staff, NHS Providers deputy chief executive, Saffron Cordery, said: 

"If true, it is encouraging to hear good progress is being made towards a pay deal that more fairly rewards NHS staff.

"Trusts have long told us that the continuation of the pay cap was damaging their ability to recruit and retain staff.

NHS trusts are already under huge financial pressure. A pay rise is welcome and overdue. But the government must not leave trusts to foot the bill.

"And growing dissatisfaction over pay was one of the key findings of the NHS staff survey, published this week.

"However, there are some key concerns to be addressed.

"The government has promised that the extra costs of funding the increase will be fully funded. It is vital that this covers the full term of any agreement, which is reported to be three years.

"It is also crucial that this covers all services delivered by the NHS, including those which have been commissioned by non-NHS bodies such as local government. These services include health visitors, school nursing and sexual health provision.

"NHS trusts are already under huge financial pressure. A pay rise is welcome and overdue. But the government must not leave trusts to foot the bill."