Yesterday the NHS Staff Council formally signed off its agreement for the reform of the NHS pay structure and terms and conditions for colleagues employed under Agenda for Change arrangements. This will affect all staff, excluding doctors and dentists.

In brief, and if fully endorsed, the main points of the proposed agreement will deliver:

  • A three year fully funded pay deal covering 2018/19 - 2020/21, which would reform the pay structure delivering fewer pay points, faster progression, and higher starting salaries, and award a 6.5 per cent increase over the three years to the top of pay scales.
  • A new system of pay progression.
  • A minimum rate in the NHS of £17,460 from 1 April 2018 – compliant with Living Wage Foundation Living Wage, and the closure of Band 1.
  • Terms and conditions improvements including enhanced shared parental leave, child bereavement leave, and a national framework on buying and selling leave.
  • Changes to terms and conditions so that preferential sick pay for those on spine points 1 to 8 will be phased out, and unsocial hours rates for Band 1 to 3 will be adjusted to be more closely aligned with those for Bands 4 to 7.
  • Development of a joint programme of work to improve health and wellbeing to improve attendance levels and reduce sickness absence.
  • A commitment for the NHS Staff Council to negotiate a provision for apprenticeship pay, and look at the scope for a national agreement on bank and agency working.

What happens next and when will colleagues see any change?

The NHS trade unions will consult with their members on the proposed agreement from now until 31st May 2018, with any ballots likely to be carried out by June. The NHS Pay Review Body will then have to endorse any deal.

If everything goes to plan and the proposals are approved, the changes will be included in July salaries and be backdated to April 2018.

We will continue to keep colleagues informed of any changes  – and we’ll know more after the consultation.

In the meantime, you can read the full information on the NHS Employers website. And the NHS Unions have their own website on the proposals which is open to all.

We will make sure colleagues are kept informed of any changes as and when we have any further information.