CSP is urging members to make use of a new online tool, which helps you to quickly and easily email your MP, so you can tell them about your experiences of the health services' recruitment and retention crisis - and highlight the need for an urgent pay rise for NHS staff.
The CSP and other healthcare trade unions have launched an online letter writing toolto help members write to their MP about NHS pay.
The tool is designed to help members raise awareness about the issue and encourage their MP to take action by signing an Early Day Motion (EDM).
An EDM is a way for MPs to show that they support something, in this case a decent pay rise for NHS staff. Some MPs can’t or won’t sign them but many do, and even if your MP doesn’t by writing to then you are still raising this important issue, and they can still respond in their own way.
The more MPs we encourage to sign the EDM, the more visible support there will be in Parliament for NHS pay to rise.
Our EDM asks MPs of all parties to acknowledge there is a staffing crisis in the National Health Service, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic but predating it; and it calls for a decent pay rise for NHS staff aimed at boosting recruitment and retention, particularly during the cost of living crisis.
MPs from all countries need to be aware
The EDM is most relevant to England. We know that the report of the independent Pay Review Body is now with the Westminster government, which determines the pay award for staff in England. And that therefore a decision on pay is now in the hands of politicians.
However, MPs from all countries need to know what's happening in the NHS. Urgent action is needed to stem the tide of workers voting with their feet.
The vicious cycle of understaffing, stress and burnout is spinning out of control as vacancies top 110,000 posts. The impact on patient care is inevitable
And, with NHS pay rates used as a benchmark by many private sector employers, is of high importance to all members.
Politicians need to know that voters will hold them to account if they fail to act. A substantial NHS pay rise could make a real difference to the current staffing crisis, helping to boost recruitment and retention and give us a fighting chance to clear the backlog.
- Use this tool to write to yours and tell them about your experiences.
- Find out current progress on NHS pay in each UK nation.
- Read the joint trade unions' blog on why a decent pay rise for all NHS workers is needed now.
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