This comes following agreement from Executive Ministers to allocate an additional £100m funding towards pay awards.
The North Belfast MLA said: “Whether it is doctors, nurses, or hospital staff, our healthcare workers deserve fair pay for their work and I am glad to see that the Executive has agreed a way forward today to make a significant move towards this happening.
“Whilst it is positive that steps have been taken towards avoiding industrial action this year, the Health Minister must now play his part. He should have had money set aside to meet pay awards from the start of the financial year. Healthcare workers are still facing uncertainty around if the pay award they have earned will be delivered.
“It should be no surprise to anyone that pay awards will need to be paid – we may not know the exact amount in advance, but this process happens every year. Health workers should not have to threaten a return to the picket lines year-on-year to ensure they receive the pay they are owed.
“This is simply a matter of prioritisation, and I would urge the Health Minister to ensure that money is set aside to cover pay awards from within his Department’s budget not just this year but also in future years to ensure this situation can be avoided.
“As is often said, there is no health service without staff.”
The North Belfast MLA said: “Whether it is doctors, nurses, or hospital staff, our healthcare workers deserve fair pay for their work and I am glad to see that the Executive has agreed a way forward today to make a significant move towards this happening.
“Whilst it is positive that steps have been taken towards avoiding industrial action this year, the Health Minister must now play his part. He should have had money set aside to meet pay awards from the start of the financial year. Healthcare workers are still facing uncertainty around if the pay award they have earned will be delivered.
“It should be no surprise to anyone that pay awards will need to be paid – we may not know the exact amount in advance, but this process happens every year. Health workers should not have to threaten a return to the picket lines year-on-year to ensure they receive the pay they are owed.
“This is simply a matter of prioritisation, and I would urge the Health Minister to ensure that money is set aside to cover pay awards from within his Department’s budget not just this year but also in future years to ensure this situation can be avoided.
“As is often said, there is no health service without staff.”