Pay and Employment

The primary function of Pay and Employment Unit, within the Human Resources Directorate in DHSSPS, is to provide advice and guidance on terms and conditions of employment for staff within the HSC in Northern Ireland.

By virtue of the Health Service Agreement between the Treasury of the UK and the Ministry of Finance for Northern Ireland, set out in Schedule 2 to the Finance Act 1971, the Department is obliged to ensure that the rates of remuneration for staff employed in the provision of health services in Northern Ireland correspond as nearly as may be with the rates which obtain in GB.

This is known as the “parity principle” and has been extant in one form or another since 1949.

Since 1 October 1973, services in Northern Ireland have been integrated with both health services and personal social services being delivered by the same organisation. As personal social services in GB is the responsibility of Local Authorities, there is no health service analogue for parity purposes and it has been custom and practice to follow the National lead set by the National Joint Council. To do otherwise would run the risk of claims of discrimination.

Under paragraph 16(d) of schedule 3 to the HPSS (NI) Order 1991, Health and Social Care Trusts were given the powers to determine their own terms and conditions of service for staff employed by them. In practice, however, trusts have, by and large, adhered to the nationally agreed rates of pay set by NJC and determined by this Department in respect of staff employed by the HSC Board or special agencies.

Powers were taken in the Health and Personal Social Services Act (NI) 2001 which enable the Department to direct trusts as to the terms and conditions of service on which it may employ staff.