After a tough winter of industrial action, there could finally be a breakthrough in talks between ministers and NHS worker unions. 'Constructive and meaningful' discussions have been taking place in a bid to end the long-running pay dispute affecting England's health service.
The Guardian on Wednesday night (March 15) reported that there could be an announcement as early as Thursday. It follows talks between unions representing nurses and ambulance staff, which were said to have made positive progress.
Last month, the Royal College of Nursing agreed to suspend industrial action while it entered into intensive negotiations with ministers, to be followed by other health unions. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) says talks remain ongoing.
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The Guardian says the negotiations have covered pay awards for 2022-23 and 2023-24, with Health Secretary Steve Barclay present for much of the discussion. However, the paper says there is still uncertainty about whether members would accept the terms of any offer when they come to be balloted.
A DHSC spokesperson said: “The Government, NHS employers and unions representing the NHS agenda for change workforce have been holding constructive and meaningful discussions covering pay and non-pay matters. These talks are ongoing.”
Members of the Royal College of Nursing took their first day of industrial action on December 15, while many ambulance workers followed on December 20. This week, a separate 72-hour strike for junior doctors has taken place, with members of the British Medical Association walking out.
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