First major nurses’ strike in NHS history starts today

Nursing staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland walk out in their fight for better pay and working conditions

The dates are set, the venues confirmed: the first nursing strike in NHS history begins today with thousands of nurses expected to take to picket lines.

Some of the biggest hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will see nurses walk out in their fight for better pay and working conditions.

Stand with nurses in solidarity, urges RCN

Nurses have been clear, this strike is about more than pay, it is also about patient safety. Many feel they are unable to provide the best level of care as they battle record staff shortages and patient demand.

• RELATED: Nurses' strikes to go ahead after talks with minister fail

Ahead of the strikes, RCN general secretary Pat Cullen told nurses: ‘We have to stick together. The NHS is in a crisis, the nursing profession cannot take anymore.

‘It is not unreasonable to demand better, this is not something that can wait, so today as we embark on something so daunting, but so critical. Stand with us in solidarity.’

Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said it was ‘deeply regrettable’ industrial action was going ahead.

‘My number one priority is to keep patients safe – I’ve been working across government and with medics outside the public sector to ensure safe staffing levels, but I do remain concerned about the risk that strikes pose to patients,’ he said.

Mr Barclay has repeatedly refused to negotiate on pay, despite Ms Cullen offering to pause strike action if he did. He reiterated his claims that further pay increases would mean taking money away from patients.

The RCN has confirmed it is working with nurse leaders to ensure the strike is ‘safe and effective’.

• RELATED: Nurses to strike at almost 80 trusts and care boards

Strikes to last between 7am to 7pm at 80 trusts across England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Strikes will last between 7am to 7pm today at some 80 trusts across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. RCN members in Scotland are currently voting on the Scottish Government’s ‘final’ pay offer of around 8%.

Nurses are also expected to walk out next Tuesday 20 December.

The addresses of picket lines can be found here.

• RELATED: Delayed pay offer to nurses in Northern Ireland rejected

In other news

• Students left despondent as nurses struggle to provide mentoring
• Pay offer accepted by some nurses in Scotland
• Staff shortages most common reason for cancelled operations