For the first time in the Royal College of Nursing’s 106-year history, nurses across the UK have voted to take strike action over pay and fears for patient safety.
However, nurses on the Isle of Wight will not be taking part in any strike action as they did not reach the legal 50 per cent turnout threshold in the ballot.
Neighbouring Trusts
Neighbouring Trusts that did, and are taking part in strike action, include:
- Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
- South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
- Solent NHS Trust
When to expect the strike action
124 NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Boards across the UK will see industrial action before the end of the year.
The RCN has a mandate to organise strikes runs until early May 2023, six months after members finished voting.
20 per cent worse off in real-terms
The RCN say nursing staff were balloted following NHS Agenda for Change pay announcements earlier this year, which left experienced nurses 20 per cent worse off in real-terms compared to ten years earlier.
They also add that in the last year alone, 25,000 nursing staff around the UK left the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register.
Almost 50,000 unfilled registered nursing posts
Poor pay contributes to staff shortages across the UK, affecting patient safety. There are 47,000 unfilled registered nurse posts in England’s NHS.
The Fair Pay for Nursing campaign is calling for a pay rise of five per cent above inflation (measured by RPI).
Cullen: The voice of nursing in the UK is strong
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen said,
“Anger has become action – our members are saying enough is enough. The voice of nursing in the UK is strong and I will make sure it is heard. Our members will no longer tolerate a financial knife-edge at home and a raw deal at work.
“Ministers must look in the mirror and ask how long they will put nursing staff through this. While we plan our strike action, next week’s Budget is the UK government’s opportunity to signal a new direction with serious investment. Across the country, politicians have the power to stop this now and at any point.
“This action will be as much for patients as it is for nurses. Standards are falling too low and we have strong public backing for our campaign to raise them. This winter, we are asking the public to show nursing staff you are with us.”
