'£5,000 pay gap between some nurse consultants'

There are stark differences in the starting salaries paid to nurse consultants, according to a survey carried out by analysts Industrial Relations Services. The survey found marked geographical variations, with average pay in Eastern region at £35,031, almost £5,000 more than in North West region, where minimum salaries average £30,155. The analysis also found differences in rates of pay between clinical specialties, with mental health emerging as the 'Cinderella service' when average pay was compared with that in critical care.