Physiotherapists have warned Health Secretary Alan Milburn they will leave the NHS unless he significantly boosts their pay.

Their salaries are set to increase by 10% over the next three years as part of a deal struck last November.

However, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has criticised the offer and has urged Mr Milburn to think again.

The level of the offer is too low Sarah Lawrence, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Officials said more money is needed if ministers are to stem the flow of staff from the health service.

Hospitals are already struggling to fill posts in some parts of the country. In parts of London, for example, one in four jobs is vacant.

'Too low'

Sarah Lawrence, chair of the society's industrial relations committee, said: "While we support the principle of a three-year deal, we feel that the level of the offer is too low."

The society has backed proposed changes to physiotherapists' pay and career structures, agreed as part of the Agenda for Change deal.

However, it has criticised the fact that the proposed pay increases do not come into effect until 2004.

Ms Lawrence said: "Our members will welcome the improvements in pay and career development which Agenda for Change will introduce, but the vast majority of them will not reap the benefits until October 2004 at the earliest.

"Agenda for Change and the Pay Review Body have already recognised that physiotherapists and assistants are underpaid for the work they do, but a pay rise of 3.225 per cent each year will do little to motivate these essential workers to stay within the profession."

Claire Sullivan, the society's national officer, said they would press Mr Milburn to increase the pay offer.

"We want to see a significant increase in physiotherapists' pay," she said.

"If people are not being rewarded financially and if their morale does not improve then they will continue to leave the NHS.

"Recruitment and retention is already a real problem in the NHS. The leak of people will continue until there is proper recognition and remuneration."

The Department of Health said it had now plans to re-open negotiations on the pay offer.

A spokesman said: "The 10% three-year pay deal forms part of the overall package that was agreed between negotiators from the health departments, the NHS trades unions and NHS employer representatives. This is now the definitive package that goes forward for consultation, and we cannot re-open any part of that package."