| PUBLIC SECTOR NHS modernisation programme hit by more delays A radical shake-up pay arrangements in the health service has stalled once more. Initially, the government hoped that a new NHS-wide pay system would be implemented in April 2001 — a timescale which has proved to be, in the words of one seasoned NHS pay analyst, hopelessly optimistic . A statement issued in November 2001 by the Department of Health said: In view of the scale of investment required for pay reform, the Government has decided to leave final decisions on funding and implementation until after the 2002 spending review is announced. These decisions will be informed by an assessment of economic prospects which is not yet available. The health department was somewhat coy in offering a completion date for the pay modernisation programme, although it stated that considerable progress had been made in the past year, particularly in developing the job evaluation scheme which will underpin the new pay structure. Background The government white paper Agenda for Change — Modernising the NHS Pay System , published in February 1999, set out proposals for sweeping changes to health workers' pay. Up for discussion are team bonuses and career progression based on responsibility, competence and satisfactory performance . Proposals for modernising NHS pay
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Posted 21 January 2002 |