Nursing staff are going on strike Wednesday and Thursday across England as
part of the ongoing discussions about pay disputes, patient safety and staff
shortages.
Patients are being warned about widespread disturbances to services as nursing
staff at 55 NHS trusts are taking part. Strikes will take place between 08:00-20:00,
emergency care will still be covered throughout. However routine care will most
likely be affected, such as health visiting and planned operations.
Strikes are hoping to open negations with the government that have so far
been refused by ministers.
Chief Executive of Royal College of Nursing, Pat Cullen said, “Today’s
strike action by nursing staff is a modest escalation before a sharp increase
in under three weeks from now. If a week is a long time for Rishi Sunak, three
weeks is the time he needs to get this resolved.”
“People aren’t dying because nurses are striking. Nurses are striking
because people are dying. That is how severe things are in the NHS and it is
time the Prime Minister led a fight for its future.
Nurses are threatening another strike in February if progress isn’t made, this
will include up to 73 trusts.
This comes after the two-day December strike which also saw Northern Ireland
and Wales take part.
GP practices are expected to run as usual.
