Health trusts call for urgent debat on national pay

A body representing more than 200 NHS trusts across England says new ways of negotiating pay need to be considered.

The chief executive of the Foundation Trust Network (FTN), Chris Hopson, has questioned whether national agreements can deliver the savings needed for the health service.

He said it was time to consider setting pay regionally or trust-by-trust.

Unison has warned against putting at risk current proposals, covering more than one million NHS workers.

A new national deal on pay, terms and conditions for most NHS staff in England appears tantalisingly close.

Trade unions are consulting on changes to the Agenda for Change scheme, covering more than one million workers. One of the main modifications is a clearer link between annual pay increments and performance.

Mr Hopson said NHS trusts completely supported the deal on the table.

However, he argued that when you look at the challenges trusts face over the next five years - a flat budget, rising costs, and the need to improve care at nights and weekends - it will not be enough.