Nurses could get private healthcare after striking deal with Gov

Friday 08 September 2023

Members of Jersey's two main nursing unions have reached a pay deal with Government – saying the offer, which included extra leave and a possible free private healthcare plan, was the "best that could be achieved".

While the 7.9% pay award was roundly welcomed, one union said it was a "shame" it had taken "nearly three quarters of the year" to reach this point.

Additional parts of the deal relate to bank holidays and annual leave, as well as a pledge to explore the introduction of a Health Care Plan in 2024, which "could include dental, optician, overnight stay in hospital and private referrals to see clinicians". 

It comes after all three trade unions representing nurses and midwives in Jersey rejected a previous offer earlier this year.

After months of discussion, members of the Royal College of Nursing reported this afternoon that they had voted to accept a revised deal (below) with 83% in favour.

Members of the Jersey Nursing Association also voted to accept with 79% in favour.

Pictured: The pay offer would be back dated to the start of this year.

Express understand that the result of a vote among members of the Royal College of Midwives is also expected to be published imminently.

The offer was put by Government to the unions at the end of July.

In that letter, the Government's Head of Employment Experience Lesley Darwin and Head of Employee Relations Sue Bishop said that "any additional increase above the 7.9% consolidated offer is not affordable and would have a detrimental effect on public expenditure".

Announcing their members' ballot result in a statement this afternoon, Ellen McNicholas, South East Regional Director for the Royal College of Nursing, said: "We are pleased that members have voted to accept an offer they feel is the best that could be achieved.

"It is a shame it has taken nearly three quarters of the year to get an offer that members felt they could accept, but now we look forward to working with the States on achieving the non pay elements of the offer as well as considering the options for 2024 and beyond," she added.

James Turner of the JNA said that the vote represented a "strong" level of acceptance from its membership.

Read the full offer made to members HERE.