Marvin OnumonuUNISON has called on the health secretary to follow the Scottish Government’s approach to NHS pay talks.
Staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are still waiting for their pay rise, seven weeks after it was due.
Helga Pile, head of health at UNISON, said: “Health workers in Scotland are reaping the rewards of a better pay process.
“Proper, direct pay talks have delivered an above-inflation, two-year deal, which comes with an inflation-proof guarantee.
“Ministers in Westminster need to take a leaf out of the Scottish government’s book. They must pull out all the stops so health workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland don’t have to go on waiting.”
Pile added: “The outdated, slow and costly pay review body process has to go, as unions have urged repeatedly, if the NHS is to ever get back into shape.
“As well as getting pay into pockets quicker, a multi-year deal means staff have more certainty and allows them to better plan their lives and finances.
“It also leads to better industrial relations, leaving everyone to focus on the many other challenges in the NHS, such as bringing down waiting times and improving patient care.”
Pile said many cleaners and porters in the NHS in Scotland earn at least £4,000 more than their equivalents elsewhere, nurses can earn up to £5,000 more, and experienced paramedics see a gap of £5,700.
Pile also said delays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland mean health trusts and boards cannot plan their budgets properly, which is bad for patients.
She said: “Backlogs, waits and delays will never be sorted until pay is fixed.”
