One million NHS staff to benefit from new support measures

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, has announced a new support package aimed at tackling violence and improving the working conditions for NHS staff. The comprehensive measures, which follow the 2023 pay deal under the Agenda for Change contract, will impact over a million frontline NHS workers.

The announcement comes in response to alarming findings from the 2024 NHS Staff Survey, which revealed that one in seven NHS workers have experienced physical violence from patients, their families or the public. A quarter of NHS staff reported at least one incident of harassment, bullying, or abuse over the past year, with many incidents left unreported, hampering efforts to address the issue.

This is in line with growing concerns highlighted in earlier reports, such as our coverage on the record high levels of violence towards ambulance staff, where we reported that the number of violent incidents against paramedics and emergency medical responders has reached an all-time high. As previously noted, the increase in violent incidents has created an urgent need for action across the emergency services sector, including the NHS.

The new measures will include a system to encourage NHS staff to report violence and aggression, and to collect data at a national level. The government will also analyse this data to determine whether certain groups, based on race, gender, disability status, or role, are disproportionately affected. This will allow trusts to take targeted actions to protect the most vulnerable workers.

In a keynote speech to UNISON’s National Health Care Service Group Conference in Liverpool, Streeting emphasised the importance of a zero-tolerance approach to violence and harassment. He said: “No one should go to work fearing violence. Yet one in every seven people employed by the NHS have suffered violence at the hands of patients, their relatives, or other members of the public.”

Streeting, who himself credits NHS staff for saving his life during his battle with kidney cancer, vowed to repay his debt of gratitude by ensuring their safety and wellbeing. “Protecting staff from violence is not an optional extra. It’s a commitment to make sure healthcare workers can focus on saving lives without fear for their own safety.”

In addition to addressing violence, the new support package will tackle longstanding issues regarding fair pay and job roles. Many NHS workers have been expected to work beyond their job description without appropriate compensation, leading to disputes at various hospitals.

The Department of Health and Social Care is working with NHS England, NHS Employers, and the Staff Council to implement a national digital system for fair pay banding, ensuring that NHS workers are compensated according to the skills and knowledge required for their roles.

Other measures outlined in the package include:

• Enhanced career progression support for nurses, including leadership training, career coaching, and more learning and development opportunities.
• New guidance for employers on recognising overseas experience in NHS recruitment and sharing best practices for recruitment processes.
• Steps to reduce the reliance on expensive agency workers by making it easier for NHS staff to access flexible working and improving practices for existing staff working patterns.
• Specific career support for ethnic minority nurses, including tailored career reviews and interview preparation.

A total of 36 recommendations have been accepted by ministers, and these new initiatives are expected to significantly improve NHS staff morale, as well as help with recruitment and retention efforts. The package of measures marks a crucial step in supporting NHS workers and ensuring their safety, while continuing to enhance the care they provide to patients.

---

To read similar articles, check out Frontline channel.