PHYSIOTHERAPISTS are urging politicians in England and Wales to follow the example set on pay in Scotland in a bid to avert industrial action.
Members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) working in the NHS in Scotland have voted to accept the latest offer from the Scottish Government following “intense negotiations” in recent weeks.
If implemented, the offer will mean the lowest paid staff receive an increase matching inflation and the starting pay for a band five physiotherapist will rise by nearly 9%, said the CSP.
CSP members in England and Wales voted on Tuesday to strike over pay and staffing issues, with strong mandates secured in each country.
Claire Sullivan, director of industrial relations at the CSP, said: “While falling short of inflation for most, this is a step forward to providing a level of pay that would help physiotherapy staff get through the winter and allow the NHS to start tackling the workforce crisis in the NHS.
“There is still more work to be done, but it shows what can be achieved between a government and health unions if there are meaningful talks carried out in good faith.
“I would strongly urge the governments responsible for the NHS in England and Wales to learn from that and come back to the table to find a way forward.
“It makes no sense, politically, economically or industrially, to constrain pay when labour is in short supply so the governments must change course.
“Patient care is being decimated by the workforce crisis and we cannot afford to keep losing the staff we do have because of low pay.”
The CSP has a mandate for action in England and Wales for the next six months and is now assessing potential strike dates while calling on governments to open talks.
