Community Healthcare Workers Excluded from NHS Pay Award Raises Concerns

In a heartfelt plea, Lisa, a newly qualified Occupational Therapist (OT) working for Wiltshire Health and Care (WH&C), shares the frustration and disappointment felt by her and her colleagues. As the NHS provider for community healthcare services in Wiltshire, WH&C played a crucial role during the pandemic, with many staff members, including Lisa, redeployed to unfamiliar areas to ensure patient safety in the community.

Lisa, who previously worked as a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner, bravely chose to continue working despite being immunocompromised due to her Rheumatoid Arthritis. Alongside her colleagues, she worked tirelessly in the discharge hub, facilitating hospital discharges and ensuring proper patient care. Their efforts aimed to create available beds for sick patients in need of hospitalization.

However, the news of being ineligible for the new NHS pay award has left Lisa and her fellow healthcare workers disheartened. The reason cited is that WH&C is not directly affiliated with a specific hospital trust, as it serves areas covered by three separate trusts: Salisbury Foundation Trust, Great Western Hospital in Swindon, and the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Lisa finds this justification difficult to comprehend. She joined the NHS in 2017, signing an NHS contract and wearing an NHS uniform. Alongside her colleagues, she contributes to the NHS pension fund, and her wages are paid from NHS funds. Therefore, the exclusion from the pay award has left her and her fellow workers feeling undervalued and disrespected.

Seeking support and amplification, Lisa implores the news to shed light on this matter. Her colleagues, who share the same sentiments, are heartbroken by the way they feel they are being treated. Their dedication and sacrifices during the pandemic should be recognized and rewarded, irrespective of the specific organizational structure they work within.

As this story unfolds, the concerns raised by Lisa and her colleagues bring attention to the broader issue of recognizing the efforts and contributions of community healthcare workers. Their essential role in delivering healthcare services, particularly during challenging times, should be acknowledged and duly compensated.

The plea of Lisa and her fellow healthcare workers serves as a reminder that all NHS employees, regardless of their organizational affiliation, should be included in fair and equitable pay awards. Their commitment and selflessness deserve appreciation, recognition, and just compensation for the invaluable work they perform on behalf of the communities they serve.