Health Secretary announces NHS staff in Wales to be offered pay rise

NHS staff in Wales will be offered a pay rise as the health service marks seven decades since its creation, it has been announced.

Welsh Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said the offer, which will provide a pay increase for staff across the NHS, has been negotiated with employers and unions.

It will now need to be approved through a ballot of union members, and means NHS staff in Wales will have pay parity with their English counterparts.

Mr Gething said: “I am pleased to announce, following negotiations with unions and employers, that we are now able to offer a much-deserved pay rise to our hardworking and dedicated NHS staff.

“As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS in Wales, it is appropriate we recognise those who have made the service what it is today and continue to deliver the best possible care for all in their time of need.

“Our NHS in Wales simply could not function without the skill, dedication and hard work of its staff.”

Mr Gething said the Welsh Government has “committed extra funding beyond the consequential funding” received following the pay rise in England to “offer a deal which is not only fair to staff and taxpayers but will also lead to a better NHS for Wales”.

The pay offer matches and in some cases goes beyond the deal for NHS staff in England, the Welsh Government said.

It will not cover employed doctors and dentists, and those in executive and senior posts.

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