Nurses say ‘enough is enough’ as pay offer falls short and workforce feels undervalued

Nursing staff across Northern Ireland have issued a stark warning to political leaders, overwhelmingly rejecting a proposed 3.6% pay increase and demanding urgent reform of the NHS pay structure.

In a recent vote by Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members working in the Health and Social Care (HSC) system on Agenda for Change contracts, nearly 80% of respondents said the proposed award was not enough.

Turnout surpassed 50%, demonstrating widespread concern and dissatisfaction within the profession.

The result comes amid continuing severe staff shortages and an ongoing patient safety crisis, including the use of corridor care due to under-resourced facilities.

Professor Rita Devlin, Executive Director of RCN Northern Ireland, described the result as a clear cry for change.

“This vote is an overwhelming signal from our members that they feel undervalued and that meaningful change is needed in the nursing profession,” she said.

Despite being informed that they should receive the same 3.6% pay rise awarded to colleagues in England and Wales, nurses in Northern Ireland have yet to see any of it implemented, exacerbating feelings of inequality and disillusionment.

“Make no mistake, inaction over pay will not be accepted,” Professor Devlin added.

“Meaningful change will only be possible with the full involvement and leadership of nursing staff. Expecting an already exhausted and disillusioned workforce to invest their time and energy into this process without a fair pay award is both unreasonable and deeply disrespectful.”

She further stressed that the existing Agenda for Change pay system is outdated and broken, trapping many experienced nurses in lower bands regardless of qualifications, training, and skill.

“Since 2019, nursing staff in Northern Ireland have shown they are willing to stand up for fair treatment—not only for themselves but for the patients they care for. The current pay system is broken, and we are demanding change.”

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt: “Our health workers deserve so much better”

Responding to the RCN’s statement, Ulster Unionist Party Leader and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt expressed his own frustration that the 2024–25 pay increase has not yet been delivered, despite his own intervention.

“I share the Royal College of Nursing’s frustration at the fact that recommended pay increases for 2024–25 have still not been implemented,” he said.

“In May, I announced that I was triggering the Ministerial Direction process to achieve delivery of these pay increases as soon as possible. That reflected my commitment to maintaining pay parity with England.”

However, Nesbitt acknowledged that his recommendation is still stalled at the Northern Ireland Executive level, where a final decision remains pending.

“I note that the RCN is today saying that the ‘first step must be for the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver the long-overdue pay award for this year.’ I couldn’t agree more.”

In May, Nesbitt issued a strong warning about the consequences of continued inaction:

“I do not want health service staff to be demoralised by inaction and another year of uncertainty on pay. They deserve better than that.”

He highlighted that failure to uphold pay parity with England would worsen recruitment and retention issues and could spark further industrial action, threatening patient care, waiting list targets, and much-needed health reforms.

“This is about treating with respect the people who keep us healthy, fix us when we are broken and keep us alive when death becomes a potential outcome.”

RCN: “The first step must be fair pay”

The RCN insists the Northern Ireland Executive must act without delay, implementing the long-overdue 2024–25 pay award as a first step toward broader reform.

Professor Devlin concluded:

“The first step must be for the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver the long-overdue pay award for this year, which should have been implemented in April.”

The union warns that unless nursing staff are properly recognised and remunerated, the healthcare system in Northern Ireland will continue to suffer from chronic workforce challenges, low morale, and risks to patient safety.