Nurses' strikes: A&E, intensive care and cancer nurses set to walk out
Posted 13 February 2023 - 11:50
With health secretary refusing to budge on pay for this year, RCN prepares to ramp up action by ending agreements to protect some hospital areas from strikes
Nurses in emergency departments, cancer units and intensive care could join the next wave of strikes in England as the RCN looks to escalate its industrial action.
The college is understood to be preparing to ramp up action by ending agreements to protect some hospital areas from strikes.
Prior to the first round of strikes in December the RCN had agreed around 5,000 derogations with the NHS to meet its ‘life-preserving care model’ during industrial action.
Last week the RCN reportedly told NHS leaders it was preparing to ask nurses working in emergency departments, intensive care units and oncology to join the strikes. But safety provisions will be in place for the most urgent clinical situations.
It would mean more nurses in England could join picket lines, having a bigger impact on NHS services.
Further nurses’ strike dates expected to be announced in coming days, action within weeks
Further strike dates are expected to be announced within the coming days, with action expected within weeks. The RCN is understood to be considering strike action across three separate days and throughout the night, according to PA news agency.
NHS Providers deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery said the plans were ‘alarming’ given the impact they had already had on patients. ‘A continuous 48-hour strike that includes staff from emergency departments, intensive care units and cancer care services would likely have the biggest impact on patients we've seen,’ she said.
‘Neither trust leaders nor their staff want patients to be impacted, but front-line workers feel they've been pushed to take action due to their challenging working conditions and pay levels. The only way to avert more disruption is to bring the strikes to an end, which means the government must talk to the unions now about pay for this financial year.’
Barclay steadfast in refusal to negotiate on this year’s pay award but ready to look at next year’s offer
Union and health leaders have urged health and social care secretary Steve Barclay to act to prevent further strikes, but the government remains steadfast in its refusal to negotiate on this year’s pay award.
The government has instead said it wants to look at next year’s pay offer, while unions continue to call for this year’s pay award to be addressed.
A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson said: ‘Mr Barclay continues to urge unions to call off strikes and engage in a constructive dialogue about the Pay Review Body Process for the coming year.’
In January it was revealed that the DHSC had yet to deliver its evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body (RB) for 2023, with the delay meaning the RB will not be ready to share its recommendations on nurses’ pay until the end of April at the earliest.
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