All NHS staff deserve pay rise this Christmas and Nightingale Medal – The Yorkshire Post says

These 1,880 additional nurses and 1,031 new doctors are still not sufficient to enable the Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate, and others, to open to treat Covid patients so the NHS can focus on the backlog of cancer cases.

And it remains doubtful that they will be sufficient in number to replace all those disillusioned staff who were leaving the medical profession long before the pandemic struck.

Yet, as Mr Hancock and his Cabinet colleagues mark the end of 2020 by reminding the country of the national unity brought about by the Clap for Carers celebrations, they should revisit the issue of NHS pay.

Even though NHS staff are exempt from the wider public sector pay freeze, Mr Hancock continues to emphasise the need for “affordability” when determing the size of the promised pay rise for over one million NHS staff judging by the instructions sent to the independent NHS Pay Review Body as recently as December 18.

Yes, he actually used the phrase “affordability” at a time when The Yorkshire Post, and the rest of the country, fully expects the Government to find the necessary money this Christmas so that all NHS staff receive a five per cent increase as a small gesture of goodwill for their dedication to sit alongside a Nightingale Medal that they also deserve for upholding the example of the founder of nursing so magnificently.

It is affordable – Whitehall wastes millions of pounds of public money each day – and it would also send out a strong message to those thinking of pursuing a career in medicine, or the care sector, that they will be respected and rewarded too as Britain reappraises its values and priorities. Just get on with it, Mr Hancock.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click here to subscribe.