NHS care threat over nursing pay

Gordon Brown has recommended a 2% pay rise

Care of NHS patients could suffer if nurses are not given a 3% pay award, the Royal College of Nursing says.

A survey of more than 1,000 nurses found one in three would consider refusing to accept unpaid overtime if given a rise smaller than the 3%.

Nurses work an average of 6.5 unpaid hours each week, and the RCN says the health service risks losing £8m per week if pay demands are disappointed.

The government has already recommended a 2% pay rise.

Withdrawing goodwill in any form is not something nurses do lightly Beverly Malone

The survey also revealed that one in 10 nurses would stop completing paperwork if they received an "unfair" pay award, while 8% would be willing to go on strike.

The RCN said nurses have been angered by news of the chancellor's recommendation, backed by Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, to the nurses' pay review body that the 2006 pay award for nurses and other public sector workers should be based on the 2% inflation target.

The average pay for nurses is £21,000 a year, but for the last three years they have been getting above-inflation increases - some as much as 15% over the period - under the Agenda for Change agreement.

RCN general secretary Beverly Malone said: "Withdrawing goodwill in any form is not something nurses do lightly. The fact that many would consider it reflects the sheer frustration of nurses across the UK, who feel ignored and undervalued by the government.

Unrewarded

"The NHS is reliant on nurses' goodwill and commitment, which leads many to work almost an entire day for no pay. But it seems this vital contribution is to be disregarded and go unrewarded.

"The chancellor must now recognise that the offer of a 2% pay settlement is simply not enough. It fails to reflect nurses' skill and dedication in delivering high quality patient care, and moreover it fails to cover the true costs of living."

In the past month, over 17,000 nurses and supporters have sent electronic postcards to Mr Brown urging him to reconsider his position.

The RCN has also distributed more than 50,000 postcards to nurses which will then be sent directly to the chancellor's office.

Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: "Nursing has never been a more attractive profession - increased pay and extended roles for nursing coupled with improved access to flexible working and affordable childcare has encouraged an extra 78,660 nurses to join the NHS since 1997.

"The government has invested over £1bn to improve pay and working conditions in the NHS and nurses have benefited hugely from this.

"Nurses joining the profession can now expect to earn £18,114, an increase of 51% since 1997."

The pay review body refused to comment, saying it would be making its recommendations for the pay increase in the next few weeks.