Welsh health minister says 'our NHS staff do deserve pay rise'

Mr Gething told Friday's coronavirus briefing in Cardiff: “We’re waiting to see the outcome of the pay review body.

“We expect to publish the evidence that we’ve provided to that pay review body if not today, then in the very near future.

“We certainly have not done what the UK Government has done and tried to set an artificial ceiling on the pay rise that should be provided.

“We think that our staff do deserve a pay rise. We’re asking the pay review bodies for evidence for our determination, and advice on what that should be.

“We want to make sure that the UK Government are in a position to properly fund that pay rise.

“I understand why so many staff across our NHS will be feeling hurt and upset and a little angry at the evidence that the Department for Health and Social Care at the UK level have provided.

“As I say, when our evidence is published, you’ll see we have not taken that approach.”

Meanwhile, Mr Gething said the NHS in Wales faces a huge challenge with the backlog of patients waiting for non-covid related treatement.

He said he has already stated his belief that it will take a full Senedd term to recover the position on waiting lists, and the challenge should not be underestimated.

Additional difficulties include the need to maintain extra space between beds and in theatres, and the ongoing need for PPE for staff will bring more pressure to bear.

It means, he said, that it will not be possible to carry out as much activity as pre-covid.

Addressing the issue of more funds for the NHS - in Wales and the rest of the UK - he said: "I don't think it is tenable for England, never mind the rest of the UK, to work on a basis that there will not be extra funding for the NHS to deal with backlogs.

"I expect it will have to be addressed in the Autumn [budget] statement, or otherwise.

"Our ability [in Wales] to tackle the backlog will be affected if there are not extra resources."