By Charlotte Webster-
Tens of thousands of staff at non-NHS organisations in the UK, including community nurses, physiotherapists and cleaners are to soon receive two one-off payments.
Over 27,000 healthcare workers in England employed in non-NHS organisations such as social enterprises, charities, private providers and local authorities will benefit from the funding.
Government recognises vital role of health workers at social enterprises, charities, private providers and local authorities to support patients and the NHS.
These payments are part of a wider NHS pay deal and aim to recognize the crucial role played by frontline workers in supporting patients and the healthcare system.
The payments, ranging from £1,655 to £3,000, will benefit various healthcare professionals including community nurses, sexual health workers, speech-and-language therapists, and physiotherapists. Organizations employing these workers will receive funding for the payments in the coming months.
The decision to provide these payments stems from the government’s acknowledgment of the sustained pressure facing the health service and the extraordinary efforts made by staff to meet healthcare demands, including reducing waiting lists.
Despite challenges such as winter pressures and industrial action, the NHS has seen a decrease in waiting lists for four consecutive months.
The government’s aim is to retain talented staff, as outlined in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
Recognizing the contributions of healthcare workers in non-NHS organizations is essential for achieving this goal.
Last year, over one million NHS staff received two one-off payments and a 5% pay rise as part of the Agenda for Change contract. Initially, these payments only applied to directly employed NHS staff.
However, in November, the government launched a scheme to extend the payments to eligible staff in non-NHS organizations, which has now been completed.
In order to ensure eligible organizations receive funding promptly, the Department of Health and Social Care has relaxed the financial eligibility criteria. Eligible organizations will be contacted and provided with funding as quickly as possible.
Overall, this initiative reflects the government’s commitment to recognizing and supporting healthcare workers across various sectors for their invaluable contributions to the healthcare system.