Agenda for Change: NHS Pay Restraint
Debate between Catherine McKinnell and Norman Lamb(7 years, 9 months ago)
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Catherine McKinnell
My hon. Friend makes an important point. It is not enough for us to state our support for our NHS workers; we must show it through real action.
Norman Lamb (North Norfolk) (LD)
I agree with the points that the hon. Lady has made. Does she agree that, given the shortage of about 24,000 nurses, the fact that about one in three are due to retire in the next 10 years, and the challenge of Brexit, which might make recruitment more difficult, one potential consequence of pay restraint, along with the sense of injustice for nurses, is that we will face a real recruitment crisis? People will just vote with their feet and not work in the NHS. That presents us with a real challenge.
Catherine McKinnell
I very much share the right hon. Gentleman’s concerns. He anticipates some of the points that I would really like to get across.
My view of the importance of those who work in our NHS is shared not only by Opposition Members. The Department of Health stated in its response to the e-petition:
“Agenda for Change staff are vital. They work incredibly hard for patients and deserve to be fairly rewarded. We are committed to ensuring trusts can afford to employ the staff the NHS needs.
NHS staff are our greatest asset. Despite the pressures on the NHS driven by an increasingly aged and frail population, nurses, and all our hard working NHS staff continue to put patients first, keeping them safe whilst providing the high quality care patients and their families expect.”
How have we found ourselves in a situation in which hard-working, dedicated, exhausted nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals are genuinely struggling to make ends meet?