AQW 6838/22-27

Mr Danny Donnelly
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 19/02/2024
Answered On Date: 06/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of whether the context around pay and conditions for health workers in Northern Ireland is different from that of the rest of the UK, given that residents in parts of Northern Ireland can work for Sláintecare on higher salaries.

Answer:

There is no doubt that we have seen an increase in individuals leaving our service, particularly in the border areas, to take up employment within Sláintecare. I would anticipate that implementation of the long delayed 2023/24 pay award will go some way to improving the situation, but pay is not the only consideration when individuals make their career choices.

As part of the proposed AfC pay settlement, my Department will provide a renewed focus on the Workforce Strategy, to improve working conditions across Northern Ireland. Staff well-being, coupled with real transformation of our services, should be our focus at this time.