McGrath accuses Health Minister of ‘dithering’ on nurses’ pay
South Down MLA Colin McGrath, the SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson, has accused the Health Minister of ‘dithering’ over nurses’ pay awards.
He challenged the Minister during health questions in the Assembly on Monday.
It comes as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) ballot members on strike action.
South Down MLA Colin McGrath said: “The Finance Minister raised the hopes of nursing staff that the end could be in sight for the pay deal they’ve been waiting on for six months.
“But the Health Minister’s comments today have created fresh uncertainty and in the context of the RCN’s ballot, that’s a deeply worrying development for our health service and its staff.
“I accused the Health Minister in the Assembly of dithering on nurses’ pay. Everyone wants this resolved, but there has been a lack of urgency from the Minister and his Executive colleagues.
“Their failure to act has brought us to the brink of strike action.
“Our health service cannot afford further disruption, but I fully understand why nurses feel they’ve been left with no other choice.
“The Executive must come together now and deliver the fair pay rise nurses deserve.”
