Forum Topic

Nurses

I was really shocked to learn the EU average pay for a nurse was €44000.00 (£39000.00). In France they have been told they are going to be paid this amount immeidiately, plus a €1500.00 bonus for frontline workers for Corona virus. Consider our poor nurses. Not only on terrible wages but getting less holidays and paying the highest public transport fares in Europe (Luxembourg all transport free) if not the world. Also some paying for carparking.

Nicholas Beard ● 1912d12 Comments

Just seen on TV, French nurses etc to get €180 a month in two parts after their strike and a extra 15000 nurses to be recruited. What are our NHS nurses getting? Car parking charges reinstated.

Nicholas Beard ● 1859d

I had forgotten about Hansard. Thanks

Nicholas Beard ● 1909d

The overseas healthworkers surcharge was on PMQs this morning.  Keir Starmer questioning the PM.  Hansard or maybe Yesterday in Parliament if not the papers if you missed it.  The parliamentary website is very good for finding out for yourself what is happening rather than waiting for the newspaper reports.  Only had time to watch the start this am.

Philippa Bond ● 1909d

NO - it's what the majority of the minority who could be bothered to vote decided, I never understood why the farming and fishing industries were so gung-ho for Brexit. Might have known this lot would sell them down the river along with the rest of us!

Vanessa Smith ● 1910d

This is what people voted for! It will also hit farmers as well.

Nicholas Beard ● 1911d

I can't bring myself to comment on thishttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/priti-patel-nhs-fees-foreign-health-staff-immigration-surcharge-a9517356.html

Guy Lambert ● 1911d

Yes I agree. They also said no austerity so we know what that means.

Nicholas Beard ● 1911d

Whilst here - the talk is of curbing any pay rise! How quickly they forget!

Vanessa Smith ● 1911d

Macron told them yesterday they are getting overtime paid. The tax rates are higher but in a lot of cases it is considerably lower than what you pay here. I once compared my payslips to some people in France whom I knew. NI contributions are higher but you get a lot more. You get all dentistry covered, so for example two visits to the hygentist a year costs £100 approx here. Free there. Also a high percentage of patients in hospital have there own room. You pay a £50 a month top up insurance so coverage is 100%. That covers prescriptions. In ear hearing aids are free as is a selection of 27 sorts of glasses. Macron knows however  he has to do better. Hospital food is very good. A friend of mine was in hospital and a proper three course meal was standard and if permitted a glass of wine as well with the evening meal The Swiss I understand spend even more than France on their health. Not sure about the Germans. Oh yes pensioners pay NI in France but the state pension is higher.

Nicholas Beard ● 1911d

The French pension scheme is excellent. In care homes the staff in the state homes are civil servants. I know this as I had occassion to visit one and spent time talking to the carers there. I suppose that is why there are 5.5 million civil servants.

Nicholas Beard ● 1911d

The NHS also has a pretty good pension scheme afaik.I don't know what equivalent there is in the EU. countries.

Keith Iddon ● 1911d

That's about what my Sister earns as a SRN with 28 years in Swindon.  She is not in the front line in her area of speciality but is doing much longer hours than normal and is unsure whether it will be paid as overtime or in time off...whenever that may be.They also pay higher tax rates in Europe and versions of NI are higher.In the main Nurses are paid well compared to many countries in Europe.But it has shifted in Germany and France over the last 3 years with very significant pay increases due to shortages of highly qualified staff.  Agency Nursing in this country pays very well but is also one of the bugbears of the NHS who train nurses and then end up rehiring them a few years later as agency staff with minimal qualifications at high rates. Cheeses off those who stay with the NHS and increase their qualifications and work all hours.

Raymond Havelock ● 1911d