‘Patients are at great risk when there aren’t enough nurses’
Nurses have voted to strike across the UK in the first ever national action over a pay dispute.
Counting is under way in the ballot of more than 300,000 Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members – but it’s believed enough nurses have voted for a winter walkout.
The industrial action is set to take place within a few weeks, possibly before Christmas, as the RCN demands a pay rise of 5% above inflation.
General secretary Pat Cullen said: “Our strike action will be as much for patients as it is for nurses – we have their support in doing this.”
The exact nature of the strikes is yet to be determined, but it will likely see patients facing disruption to operations and appointments amid record NHS waiting lists.
“This will see the majority of services taken out, and picket lines across the country,” a union source told the Observer.
It comes as Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt face the huge challenge of tackling a £50 billion hole in public finances.
In a statement, Mrs Cullen said: “Patients are at great risk when there aren’t enough nurses.
“Huge numbers of staff – both experienced and newer recruits – are deciding they cannot see a future in a nursing profession that is not valued nor treated fairly.”
She added: “As we begin action, politicians in every part of the UK will be challenged to back their nursing staff and understand the strength of public support.”
The RCN said there are record nursing vacancies and in the last year 25,000 nursing staff around the UK left the Nursing and Midwifery Council register.
It said recent analysis showed an experienced nurse’s salary has fallen by 20% in real terms since 2010, adding the goodwill of nursing staff is being ‘exploited’ by UK governments.
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