Nurses to stage first national walkout

Half of hospitals affected as No 10 hits out at ‘unreasonable’ 17.6pc pay rise demand

NURSES have voted for their first national strike, despite warnings that demands for a 17.6 per cent pay rise are “simply not reasonable”.

Workers at about half of hospitals have backed industrial action, which would result in thousands of operations being cancelled.

Last night, Downing Street said the plans were “deeply regrettable” and the pay demand, which comes with a £9billion price tag, was “not deliverable”.

Labour has also failed to back the strikes, with Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, saying that he could not say he would have offered such an increase, given the constraints on public finances.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which represents close to half a million nurses in total, including those in the NHS, said the vote in favour of industrial action signalled that “enough is enough”.

Unions have yet to agree on a timetable for action, with sources indicating strikes are likely to take place by Christmas, as winter pressures bite.

The plans could lead to the cancellation of thousands of operations, including those for patients with cancer.

Despite the likely impact, Pat Cullen, the RCN general secretary, insisted: “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.”

Waiting lists are at an all-time high, with more than seven million people – one in eight of the population – now waiting for tests and treatment.

Unions have said that priority will be given to treating emergency patients, under a “life-preserving care model” if strikes go ahead.

In total, RCN members at 102 NHS trusts in England voted in favour of strikes, less than half the 215 that were polled.

Nurses at other NHS bodies, including NHS England and NHS Blood and Transplant, also voted for action.

Workers at all NHS employers in Scotland and Northern Ireland backed strikes, as did all bar one in Wales.

If it goes ahead, the strike will be the first time Uk-wide action is being taken by RCN members in its 106-year history.

Last night, union officials were in discussions about what action could involve, with options ranging from a national strike, affecting all services which voted for action simultaneously, or a more staggered approach.

Steve Barclay, the Health Secretary, last night urged the union to meet him for talks as soon as today, saying that he was keen to “listen to their concerns”.

Mr Barclay said the demands for a 17.6per cent pay rise were “out of step” with the economic circumstances the UK faces. He said the Government had accepted the decisions made by an independent review body, meaning an average rise of 4.75 per cent for nurses in England and Wales, with extra for the lowest paid. Mr Barclay said the deal meant one million NHS workers would receive a pay rise of at least £1,400 this year on top of a 3 per cent rise last year.

Scotland has offered a flat rate of more than £2,200, which means a newly qualified nurse would get around 8 per cent more.

The RCN has asked for 5 per cent above the RPI rate of inflation, which stands at more than 12 per cent.

Mr Barclay said strikes would mean patients were forced to suffer delays.

“Union demands for a 17.6 per cent pay settlement are around three times what millions of people outside the public sector will typically receive and simply aren’t reasonable or affordable.

“Labour have also refused to back this. Regrettably, this action will mean some patients will have their treatment delayed.

“My priority is to keep patients safe during any strikes, minimise disruption and ensure emergency services continue to operate,” he said.

The former Treasury minister said the pay demand “is out of step with the economic circumstances that we face”.

He told broadcasters: “One of the first things I did in my first week was to contact them to offer a meeting. We have reiterated that again today.

“I am hoping to see them very soon. Obviously we are keen to see what the result of the ballot was, but my door is open and I am looking forward to meeting them in the days ahead.”

The RCN said that it is committed to ensuring emergency and urgent care can be kept running during a strike.

Its care model for strikes says emergency care will be provided to preserve life or to prevent permanent disability.

Some of the most serious cancer cases could be treated, while urgent diagnostic procedures and assessments will be staffed if they are needed to gather data on potentially life-threatening conditions or those that could lead to permanent disability.

Ms Cullen said that the action would be managed “safely and effectively” but will inevitably involve “disruption”.

“We don’t intend to place any patient at further risk during the strike.”

Asked what the Prime Minister’s message is for the RCN, his official spokesman said: “We hugely value the hard work and dedication of our nurses, but it is deeply regrettable that some union members are considering this action. These are challenging times for everyone.”

“I think you’ll know the RCN are asking for 17 per cent pay rise.

“To deliver that for all staff ... that would cost £9 billion. In the current climate that is simply not deliverable.”