Nursing agency staff spoke of their dismay after being told to get a new job if they did not like being denied a £500 "thank you" payment announced by Nicola Sturgeon last year.

The first minister announced a cash windfall as a gesture of gratitude for the risks taken during the pandemic - however agency workers who have covered NHS shifts are excluded.

It was reported that receptionists for private dental practices were eligible to receive the £500, but not agency nurses.

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And those who did not like being excluded were effectively told to get a new job in a letter sent by ministers refusing to budge.

A letter sent by the Scottish Government reiterated "it is not extended to private agency staff in the NHS" - however nursing agency bosses described it as 'simply incorrect and dismissive'.

Joanne Sullivan, the director of Trust-Care Staffing, an independent nursing agency, said: "Agency staff are held to exactly the same standards as anyone else.

"All Registered Nursing Agencies are also registered with the SSSC.

"We are no different.

“Why should a small company like ours with members of staff on the front line have to come up with £500 payments?

"We help fund the NHS just like anyone else via taxation or charitable donation. It is not realistic that we are able to afford such a payment.

“It is discriminatory that the NHS has said to our staff that if they want the same terms and conditions to apply for a role with the NHS, people should be able to choose to work for whomever they wish without penalty."

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She added: “Agency staff support the entire Health and Social Care sector, not just the NHS.

"This includes all classes of vulnerable adults and children that would otherwise need NHS support which would bring the NHS to its knees overnight.

“All care staff must register with the SSSC and must pay a fee to register and pay for training.

"The response from the government is simply incorrect and dismissive."

The announcement was made on November 30.

Joanne added: “This must be rectified as our workers have risked just as much as everyone else and delivered at times of shortage, often covering NHS staff in the process.

"Nursing agency staff deserve better.”

A support worker employed by the agency added: "I feel it is extremely unfair to reward the rest of the care industry with the ‘Thank You’ payment but ignore some of us who have been on the front line of the pandemic.

"We should all be treated the same, regardless of what status we hold in the health and care sector.”

Another added: "During the lockdown it felt like we were finally being seen for the work we do, but being told we're not eligible for the ‘Thank You’ gesture kind of undid that.”

The letter said: “Scottish Ministers are hugely grateful for the efforts over recent months of the many key workers, including private agency staff, for their undoubtedly vital support to the NHS and the people of Scotland.

“The recognition payment relates to staff covered by NHS payment and remuneration arrangements and staff in organisations registered with the Scottish Social Services Council, and it is not extended to private agency staff in the NHS.

"For people working for private employers, it would be for their employer to determine their remuneration and any additions to existing pay which may be appropriate for these staff.

“If any member of agency staff wishes to receive the same terms and conditions as NHS staff, they are free to apply for and take up an NHS post at NHS rates of pay.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The pro-rata £500 thank you payment is for NHS and Adult Social Care staff, and over 300,000 people will be eligible for this.

"We are hugely grateful to the efforts over recent months of the many key workers in different sectors across Scotland as they have risen to the challenge of responding to the pandemic.

"For people working for private employers, it would be for their employer to determine their remuneration and any additions to existing pay which may be appropriate for these staff.”