"Unhappy" and "undervalued" is how the largest union in the NHS have described workers across Lincolnshire
They're calling for better pay from the Government
We're hearing from the largest union in the NHS - that workers across Lincolnshire are feeling unhappy and undervalued,
Unison – represents ambulance workers, nurses, and other staff - and are calling for pay talks,
They found three in ten staff are looking for better-paying jobs after increased housing costs, raising fears that staffing shortages could get worse.
Carol Brown leads on health for Lincolnshire - she says it could lead to more people leaving the profession:
"Pay is really important to be able to sustain your staff, and to be able to show them that you know they're worth it, and that they're valued as members of the NHS. I think it was all very well and good during the pandemic where we clapped the NHS workers, and I think that there was an expectation when the pandemic was over, and it was getting round to that year's pay talks, that they'd be rewarded for that. But they weren't.
"So I think people because they're weary, because they're having to pick up extra shifts, because of the short staffing then they feel totally undervalued by the government and they're not happy.
"There needs to be more funding put into NHS Trust. Our members, they're disheartened, they feel let down and with all the responsibility, because of the lack of staffing... that really, really does make them feel as though that they don't want to do it anymore."
She added that the pandemic has had a big impact on staff:
"Even before the pandemic hit, we've had an NHS that was struggling for resources, for staff, and then of course, we limped along, you know. So what the NHS really needs is, you know, some decent funding to be put into it, because at the moment it's broken and those staff are broken as well."
UNISON, wrote to the health secretary last week, setting out the case for sustained investment in the workforce. They say talks would be the best way to agree the wage rise due in April, and that it will improve the experience of patients and avoid a repeat of last year's strike action.
The union has also notified the acting chair of the NHS pay review body of its decision to do this rather than submitting evidence, because they feel the process takes too long, and is neither sufficiently independent, nor fit for purpose.
A further comment made by the union is that health workers are disappointed by the government’s decision to fall back on the lengthy review-body process to set pay, and that because the Health Secretary - and Louth and Horncastle MP, Victoria Atkins didn’t get the ball rolling until December means staff won’t get this year’s wage increase on time.
In a recent UNISON survey, over a third (38%) of health workers said they were unable to concentrate at work because they were worrying about their finances.
In the same poll, more than two-thirds (68%) said their rent or mortgage has risen considerably over the past year, and more than half (53%) expect their housing costs to go up significantly in the coming 12 months.
As a result, over a third (35%) of NHS staff told UNISON they had to take on extra shifts to get by, adding to an increased risk of stress and burnout, the union warns.
More worryingly, the union said increased housing costs have already prompted three in ten (31%) to start looking for better-paying jobs outside the NHS, raising fears that staffing shortages could yet worsen.
As well as a "decent" pay rise for 2024/25, UNISON wants to see NHS staff on the correct salary bands, and a push for a shorter working week.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:
“We hugely value all our NHS staff, and have asked the independent pay review bodies to make recommendations on pay for 24/25 – as is usual practice in the public sector.
“These independent bodies are made up of industry experts. When making their recommendations, they take into account several factors like the cost of living as well as value for the taxpayer.
“We strongly encourage trade unions to take part in this process so their members’ views are heard.”