§ Mr. Hanleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the hourly rate of pay for (a) a junior ward sister and (b) a senior ward sister in 1981 within the National Health Service; what were the successive percentage increases in 1982, 1983, and 1984; and what is the current hourly rate for 1985.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFollowing is the information requested for the period 1981 to 1984, based on the minimum and maximum points of the nursing sister II (ward sister) pay scale. In addition to basic pay, ward sisters are eligible for additional payments, mainly for working unsocial hours or overtime. The table therefore includes an estimated hourly rate for total earnings for full-time staff. Pay rates for 1985 will be determined in the light of the recommendations of the review body for nursing staff, midwives, health visitors and professions allied to medicine.
Ward Sisters-hourly* rate of pay Basic Pay Estimated earnings †Percentage increase Min £ Max £ Min £ Max £ 1981 2.88 3.69 3.30 4.23 — ‡1982 3.23 4.14 3.70 4.74 12.3 1984 3.49 4.48 4.00 5.13 8.0 Notes: * Based on 371/2 hour week † Percentages may not exactly match pay rate increases due to rounding ‡ Two-year settlement effective from 23 August 1982 to 31 March 1984.