Members of the Society of Radiographers in Wales are being asked to complete a consultative survey on the latest pay award for NHS workers.
The 37th NHS Pay Review Body and 52nd Doctors and Dentists Review body reports have resulted in an offer of a 5.5 per cent pay uplift for radiographers and other NHS professionals.
Now a consultative survey is being sent to members in Wales in order to discover the views of the SoR membership on whether this offer should be accepted.
SoR members will have received a link to the consultation in their email inbox.
Full offerings made by the Pay Review Body include: uplifting all pay points for Agenda for Change (AfC) staff by 5.5 per cent on a consolidated basis from 1 April; adding intermediate pay points at AfC bands 8a and above after two years; and working with the UK government on taking forward Pay Review Body recommendations for AfC pay structures.
SoR UK Council has recommended acceptance of this award, as it currently stands above inflation.
A spokesperson for UK Council said: “[This award] signifies a step in the right direction towards pay restoration, whilst acknowledging that more investment is required to deal with the radiography workforce crisis.
“It is positive news that the PRB and government have listened to the trade unions and acknowledge a review of pay and job evaluation under Agenda for Change is overdue and needs to commence.”
UK Council has welcomed the government’s recognition of the costs of industrial action and its impact on waiting lists.
By accepting the Pay Review Body’s recommendations, it has signalled a desire to avoid a repeat of last year’s strike action, Council added.
“We will continue to pursue a commitment from the Government to pay restoration and inflation proof pay awards for future years.”
Caroline Hurley, national officer for Wales, said: “It is important for members to respond to the survey so the SoR can get a measure of the feelings of our members regarding pay in Wales. NHS pay in Wales currently stands 1.5 per cent higher than that of England after negotiations with the Welsh government during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 pay rounds. This ongoing momentum is important to ensure pay restoration in the future.”
Mark Drakeford, cabinet secretary for health and social care in Wales, said: “I value and admire the hard work and dedication of all staff working in and for the NHS. This pay award recognises their value and their contribution to the NHS in Wales.”
First minister Eluned Morgan added: “Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers across Wales in professions covered by independent pay review bodies will receive an above-inflation pay award. This reflects the value we, and the public, place on the work they do, and the vital role public services play in people’s everyday lives. “
As an SoR member working in the NHS in Wales, please indicate if you believe the award to be acceptable or not by completing the consultation survey. The consultation has been emailed to members directly.
Find more information about the pay award in written statements here and here.
(Image: Cabinet secretary for Health and Social Care Mark Drakeford, by Leon Neal/Getty Images)