News

RCN urges members to join ‘NHS in crisis’ rally

Organising groups for London march are calling for better funding and an end to all privatisation in the health service

Nurses will join a demonstration next month calling on the government to ‘fix’ the NHS.


Following a successful summer of pay protests, the RCN is urging members to join the NHS in crisis rally in February. Picture: David Gee

Register interest

The RCN has set up an online form for nurses in England to register their interest in attending the ‘NHS in crisis – fix it now’ rally, organised by Health Campaigns Together and The People’s Assembly.

The groups are calling for better funding and an end to all privatisation in the health service.

Demonstrators will assemble at Gower Street in central London from midday on Saturday 3 February and march to Trafalgar Square or Whitehall.

The People’s Assembly said: ‘The NHS winter crisis has now descended into a perpetual year-round crisis, a crisis that has brought staff to their knees and patients languishing – and even dying – in overcrowded waiting rooms and hospital corridors. It doesn't have to be this way.’

Above-inflation award

Representatives of the RCN will attend the event as part of the Close the Gap pay campaign.

A spokesperson said: ‘The campaign calls on the UK government to value nursing staff with a pay award above inflation, to make up for years of lost earnings.

‘As an RCN member, you can attend to raise awareness of the issues facing nursing staff in the NHS in England.’

Health trade union Unison is also encouraging members to attend. A spokesperson said: ‘We believe it is time for the government to change course and start properly funding the NHS instead of starving it of the resources it needs.’


In other news

Jobs