STAFF working for the NHS in York and North Yorkshire have reacted with disappointment to a “derisory” pay rise of one per cent.

Health workers ranging from doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives to cleaners and porters will receive the pay rise on the advice of Pay Review Bodies (PRB) but unions have said the rise is derisory, especially as fuel, food and transport costs were increasing.

York Press:

The Department of Health said “the dedication and sheer hard work of NHS staff” was crucial to delivering world-class care, which is why they awarded the pay rise.

But Unison said the deal amounts to less than £5 a week for most midwives, nurses, cleaners, paramedics, radiographers and other healthcare staff.

Ray Gray, regional officer for Unison, said the rise - which is below the rate of inflation at 3.2 per cent - will mean lower paid staff in York and North Yorkshire will struggle to make ends meet.

He said: “It means they are going to continue to struggle. We do get people who ask for advice or who are struggling with their mortgage so we know they are close to the breadline.

“It’s not disappointing, it’s derisory. It’s an insult. In the recent attack in London, the people walking into the situation were health workers. They do that on a regular basis, it’s not a one off. They deserve so much more than they get.”

The Royal College of Nursing has described the one per cent pay rise as a “bitter blow”. Karl Norwood, its regional operational manager, said: “This is a bitter blow to nursing staff across England and the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

“Nurses have suffered a 14 per cent real term pay cut over the last five years and yet the Government still refuses to keep nursing wages in line with inflation. Many are really struggling to keep their heads above water financially.

“The nursing profession is rightly held in high regard but kind words don’t pay the bills. With this announcement, the Government will deter new people from joining the nursing profession at the very moment it is failing to retain staff and European colleagues in particular head for the door.

“Ministers are ignoring the evidence that staff shortages put patient care and safety at risk. Tens of thousands of nursing jobs lie vacant today and the Government missed the opportunity to stop that getting worse.”