Derry MLA calls for fair pay for medical technicians in Western Trust

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has called for medical technicians in the Western Trust to be afforded equal pay with those in other Trusts.

The local MLA has written to the Western Trust to advocate on behalf of constituents who are Medical Technicians within the Western Trust, who are paid around £9,000 less than Medical Technicians in other Trusts.

Ms. McLaughlin said: “Medical Technicians play an essential role each and every day in our health service, ensuring that medical equipment including incubators and anaesthetic machines are serviced and maintained.

"The significant disparity in the pay of the Medical Technicians between the Western Trust and the rest of the North is just indefensible. I can understand fully the significant damage that this difference between Trusts is causing to staff morale.

“Why would someone choose to work in the Western Trust when they could earn significantly more working in the same role at another Trust, particularly in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis?

"I understand that this role is going through a job evaluation process, but that this is unlikely to be processed within the next eight months. I also find it baffling that Job Evaluation outcomes are not shared between Trusts, which seems totally counter-intuitive.

"At a time when our health service is under significant strain, this appears to be an inefficient process that is disadvantaging people in the Western Trust.

“It’s critical that we do everything possible to ensure that staff are afforded a fair wage and I have challenged the Trust on the need to ensure that this process is reviewed.”