What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that the pandemic pay bonus is made available to NHS agency staff such as in the case of agency porters and cleaners brought in to clean COVID wards due to staff shortages?
Careful consideration was given to all of those supporting the NHS in Wales when developing the eligibility criteria for the bonus payment. The eligibility criteria are in line with Welsh Government policy and the overarching NHS Wales objective of securing long term sustainable workforce resource via NHS bank arrangements as opposed to agency.
I appreciate this will be disappointing for the those who have worked for the NHS through an agency during the pandemic, however I must be clear that I do truly value the hard work and commitment of all of our dedicated healthcare workers in Wales, at all times but particularly so during the these recent times. Any queries regarding specific individuals’ eligibility should be directed to their employer in the first instance.
Further information regarding the eligibility criteria for the bonus payment is available for staff and employers to access via the following link: