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Nurses say they will 'go extra mile' during junior doctors strike

Nurses will pull together for patients as the NHS braces itself for another series of strikes by junior doctors.
Strike action

Nurses will pull together for patients as the NHS braces itself for another series of strikes by junior doctors

On September 12, 5 days of strike action are due to begin, followed by three more 5-day walkouts in October to December in England over a controversial new contract.

The government and British Medical Association (BMA) remain at loggerheads over the contract, which the Department for Health says will provide a 7-day NHS.

News of further strike action has been met with calls from the General Medical Council and the Patients Association that patient need must be the priority.

NHS Providers, which represents NHS leaders, said the planned strikes could lead to 500,000 cancelled operations and 4 million lost outpatient appointments.

Work together

Nurses have told Nursing Standard they will work together for patients while the junior doctors are out on strike.

‘I support the junior doctors 100%,’ Hazel Douglas wrote on Facebook.

‘The staff will cope (as they always do) when the strikes are on. We will pull together and go the extra mile. Remember that our consultant colleagues will be there too. ‘

‘Completely support, the whole NHS is at risk and we have to pull together to save it,’ added Jade Blackburn.

Nurse Matthew Alders tweeted: ‘We should support junior doctor colleagues.

‘If they are subdued then other healthcare professionals will be next.’

Scheduled action

Strikes are scheduled to take place from 8am to 5pm on:

  • 12-16 September
  • 5-7 October
  • 10-11 October
  • 14-18 November
  • 5-9 December.

Six strikes have already taken place across England during the lengthy dispute.

In May it looked as though a breakthrough had been reached in the dispute after both sides agreed to a new deal.

Then in July, the government announced that it would impose a new contract after junior doctors and medical students voted to reject the contract brokered between health leaders and the BMA.

The BMA said it will call off the strikes if the government agrees to stop the imposition.

Practical guidance

The RCN has encouraged nurses to read its guidance on what to do when other unions take industrial action.

This guidance outlines what rights nursing staff have in taking on increased workloads while avoiding undermining lawful industrial action.

Advice includes not undertaking any work that is outside of their professional competency, act within the NMC Code at all times, and report any difficulties or concerns in delivering care to their manager immediately.

Members may wish, in their own time, to support the action of colleagues by attending demonstrations or signing petitions, the guidance adds.


Further information:

Industrial action by other unions: the position of RCN members

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