Pay Deal for Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Staff to be Implemented
Despite a split in union votes, the Department of Health in Northern Ireland has announced that it will implement a new pay deal for Health and Social Care (HSC) staff.
Important points
- 5% pay rise for all HSC staff
- One-off payment of £1,505, backdated to April 2023
- Pay deal to be implemented despite RCN vote against
- RCN raises concerns about unequal pay compared to England
NHS Pay Rise For Northern Ireland 2024
The agreement includes a 5% pay rise and a one-off payment of £1,505, backdated to April 2023.
Union Votes
- Unison members voted to accept the agreement (77% in favour)
- Royal College of Midwives (RCM) members also accepted (86% in favour)
- Unite members accepted the deal (81% in favour)
- Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members rejected the agreement (56% against)
RCN Concerns
The RCN expressed disappointment that the pay offer differed from that received by nurses in England.
They argued that nurses in Northern Ireland have faced unprecedented cost of living pressures without a pay rise.
The Department of Health will implement the pay deal, restoring pay parity with England for HSC staff.
However, the RCN remains in dispute with the government and will consider the next steps.
NHS pay rise Northern Ireland 2024: when will it be paid?
You should receive your 5.5% pay award in October. It will be paid to directly employed NHS staff through payroll. You will also receive an additional payment representing the money you should have earned from 1 April 2024 onwards.