‘No extension’ to graduate nursing pay plan

Health unions have been given assurances by the Department of Health that the controversial graduate nursing programme is not to be extended to other health professions, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Nursing unions have been highly criticical of HSE plans to recruit 1,000 graduate nurses on 80% of existing pay levels under the nursing scheme. That opposition has contributed to a low uptake of the scheme and the HSE to extend the deadline for applicants.

Health Minister James Reilly told the Sunday Business Post he regretted the opposition but added: “Far from keeping this to nurses, I want to see this extended to physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and others.”