‘This is no way to treat our dedicated NHS members’ says Dave Prentis, general secretary

The pay award for our NHS staff is even worse than we expected. Not only is this coalition government freezing pay for 60% of staff, but those who get the paltry 1% lose it at the end of the pay year. This wretched government has treated the NHS, our members and patients with contempt.

I don't know about you, but I was disgusted with the pathetic attempt by coalition politicians to justify why, at a time when they claim the economic recovery is at hand, they cut the pay of the majority of health staff. Most people understand that increments are about paying you more for getting better at your job, gaining new skills and becoming more efficient. If the government wants to play that game, everyone should be paid the rate for the job.

But let’s look at this 1% increase – for this year and next – only for those at the top of their grades. At the end of year one, your next year's 1% will be based on the pre-2014 rate – so even more is cut. This is no way to treat our dedicated NHS members.  They had to cope with massive cost of living increases, like everyone else, and they are worse off by an average 10%.  This shabby coalition has once again demonstrated its real colours and should be swept from power for the sake of our NHS, if nothing else