100,000 nurses to walk out ‘for patients’ in first strike
Tories ignore talks plea
AS many as 100,000 nurses will walk out next month in the first of a series of NHS strikes this winter.
The Royal College of Nursing yesterday announced the 76 NHS trusts and services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland where nurses will strike on December 15 and 20.
Ambulance workers across England are also set to strike before Christmas after Unison members voted for industrial action over pay.
The RCN warned the proportion of its 300,000 membership taking part in strikes would increase in January if the Government continued to refuse to open pay negotiations.
General Secretary Pat Cullen said: “Ministers have declined my offer of formal pay negotiations and instead chosen strike action.
“Nursing is standing up for the profession and their patients.
“We’ve had enough of being taken for granted and being unable to provide the care patients deserve.”
Strikes will take place at 53 trusts or services in England, 12 in Wales and 11 in Northern Ireland. Strikes in Scotland are on hold after the devolved government reopened talks. NHS England has written to all health leaders setting out priority services to maintain during strikes, including cancer treatment, renal dialysis, and community services that enable patients to be discharged.
Unison said thousands of 999 callhandlers, ambulance technicians, paramedics and their colleagues working for ambulance services in the North East, North West, London, Yorkshire and the South West are to strike.
They could be joined by GMB ambulance workers, cleaners, porters, pharmacy technicians and admin staff, as well as midwives and junior doctors, after separate strike ballots were held.
The RCN wants a rise of 5% above inflation. Ms Cullen said: “Ministers still have the power and means to stop this by opening negotiations.”
Health Secretary Steve Barclay, said: “Economic circumstances mean the RCN’s demands are not affordable.”
■ The Nursing and Midwifery Council says 11,496 overseas nurses joined the register in the six months to September, alongside 12,102 UK-trained recruits.
Ministers still have the power and means to stop this
PAT CULLEN GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE RCN