Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health when he will implement the 5.5 per cent pay increase for health workers as recommended by the Pay Review Body, that is being paid in England, Scotland and Wales. [Priority Written]
Minister of Health: I am already on record as being supportive, in principle, of the recommendations set out in the report. However, given the severe financial constraints placed upon my Department, it is not possible, at the current time, to make a final decision on the acceptance of the review body recommendations for this year.
As I have stated publicly, our health service would be nothing without our hard-working workforce and I am committed to doing everything I can do to support them. I will continue to make the case, to Executive colleagues, for additional financial allocations that would allow me to implement a pay award in line with the recommendations of the NHSPRB for 24/25.
ENDS
Your MLA 