The pay cap on NHS staff must be lifted because it puts patient safety at risk, NHS bosses say.
NHS Providers said the cap, which limits pay rises to 1% a year to 2019, was causing severe recruitment and retention problems in England.
The body, which represents NHS trusts in England, said the next government must look at the issue immediately.
Labour says it would look to increase pay, but the Tories and Lib Dems have not yet set out any pay plans.
Labour wants to increase pay so it better reflects the cost of living, but has not said by how much.
Over the weekend the Lib Dems did announce they would increase income tax by a penny-in-the-pound to boost investment in the NHS.