Welsh Conservatives react to pay-rises for Wales’ doctors and dentists
The Welsh Conservatives have welcomed the “long overdue” announcement made by Vaughan Gething today, but have criticised the Welsh Government’s “cynical” attempt to politicise the pay increase.
The wage rise was sparked by the Review Body of Doctors and Dentists Remuneration (DDRB) which offered a series of recommendations to all national governments in the UK, in regard to what changes could be made to pay and remuneration for doctors, dentists and other specialities of medical professional.
UK Government announced their plans to honour the Review’s recommendations back in July.
From committing the Barnett consequential funding to additional funding to NHS Wales to reforming GP indemnity, the Welsh Government have always delayed on committing to vital reforms to improve NHS Wales, putting the whole country at a disadvantage.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Health Secretary Angela Burns AM, said:
“The Welsh Conservatives welcome the fact that a more generous salary is being given to those who dedicate their careers to helping others, and that the pay-rise has only been possible because of the UK Conservative Government’s commitment to the NHS.
“The Welsh Government still need to make it clear just how this offer is supposedly better than the settlement for NHS England, especially since the UK Government already announced their plans to honour the recommendations of the review that sparked this move back in July.
“This announcement was long overdue and cynically kept on the back burner for Carwyn to get his applause at Conference and for Vaughan Gething to get a little boost for his leadership campaign.
“Now that they have improved NHS staff pay, let’s hope that Welsh Labour overturn the habit of a lifetime and meet their A&E targets, stop making people wait hours for ambulances, reduce waiting times, and see Wales’ largest health board taken out of special measures.”
