NCRHA to fix pay issue affecting nurses

2026-03-29 - 01:25

The North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) says it is acknowledging concerns raised by nursing staff over recent payments linked to overtime and pool assignments, assuring that the matter is being addressed in accordance with the law. In a statement yesterday, the NCRHA said it recognised the critical role nurses play in delivering healthcare services and said both its Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer have taken note of the issues. The NCRHA said it was recently made aware of a memorandum issued by the Office of the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO), dated February 10, 2023, which outlines approved rates payable to pool nurses across established categories. A review subsequently identified an inconsistency in how these rates were applied at the NCRHA. According to the Authority, a uniform rate of $75.00 had been used across categories, in contravention of the CPO’s directive. The NCRHA said corrective action was taken to revert to the authorised CPO rates, in keeping with established policy and legal requirements. It also noted that other Regional Health Authorities have been operating in accordance with the directive, and that NCRHA was the only authority not adhering to the approved structure. The NCRHA said resolution of the matter will involve negotiations with the CPO and it remains committed to pursuing lawful avenues for clarification. It acknowledged that the adjustments may affect nurses’ monthly earnings, particularly where overtime forms a significant portion of income, and said the changes are not intended to disadvantage staff but to ensure fairness and consistency. It added that outstanding pool claims for February 2026 are being audited and will be processed shortly.