“NO DELAYS – LET’S SEE PROMPT ACTION FOR FAIR HEALTH PAY”

Plaid Cymru urges Welsh Government to announce findings of NHS pay review and make good their promises of financial reward

Plaid Cymru has urged Welsh Government to secure prompt publication of the the NHS pay review, which the government had previously confirmed was due before the end of June.

Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on health has said we “owe our lives” to our health workers, and they must be rewarded for their hard work with “more than just good wishes.”

During Politics Wales on Sunday, 6 June, Health Minister Eluned Morgan MS admitted that the Welsh Government had “an obligation” to reward NHS workers, and said that she didn’t want to see a pay cap of 1%, as has been the suggestion in England.

To date, the recommendations from the independent NHS pay review body in Wales have not been published.

On 23 June, nine trade unions wrote an open letter to Welsh Government requesting an “urgent and significant pay rise” to reward NHS staff and stop them leaving jobs.

Senior Doctors in England have threatened industrial action if the Westminster government’s offer of a 1% pay rise is not increased.

Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Health, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said,

“Our health workers have kept us safe during the pandemic – in fact, we owe them our lives! The impact of those long hours, through one of the most traumatic periods our NHS has ever seen has taken its toll on their health and morale.

 “If Welsh Government turns its back on the promises it made in terms of a pay increase, then it too could face the threat of a walk out.

 “Our health service is already under pressure, under resourced and under staffed. My plea to Welsh Government is to ensure our health and care workers do not remain under paid.”