Further to the Minister’s written statement of 17 December 2021 on pay enhancements for NHS staff for 2021-22, will the Minister clarify the eligibility of bank staff for pay enhancements?
The Welsh Government values all our dedicated health and social care workforce in Wales and I recognise and appreciate the challenges and immense pressure they face, especially during this unprecedented time.
Careful consideration was given to all of those supporting the NHS in Wales when developing the eligibility criteria for the pay enhancements which are part of the NHS pay award for 2021/22.
The vast majority of bank workers are also employed directly by the health board and as substantive employees and would have been eligible for the 1% non-consolidated payment.
Those who work on bank-only contracts have more flexibility in how and when they choose to work so may have only worked for a limited number of hours or shifts. Therefore, from a payroll administration perspective, non-consolidated payments as part of pay awards have historically not been paid to bank-only workers given the huge variety in work undertaken in the NHS. Whilst not eligible for this 1% non-consolidated payment as part of the enhanced pay award agreed in social partnership, bank workers were eligible to receive the £735 thank you made last year to health and social care workers in recognition of the work undertaken throughout the pandemic.
I realise this decision may be disappointing news for bank only workers. However, they may wish to consider applying for a substantive position with an NHS organisation in order to receive the same benefits as other substantive NHS employees.