Last year, NHS staff were given an average 4.5 per cent pay rise with trusts told to top up the pay rise from existing budgets after the Government refused to fund more than 3 per cent. Hospitals fear facing the same problem again this year after the pay review panel makes its recommendation to Government in the spring.
“For example, long term transformation spend – such as funding distributed via the service development fund will be scaled back. National prevention and digital programmes are at risk of being delivered more slowly than envisaged in the long term plan, which will limit the capacity for long-term recurrent efficiencies and improvements in patient care.
Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, met with health unions on Monday in an attempt to find common ground and try to prevent further strikes this month.