The Royal College of Nursing warned yesterday that nurses could strike again in the new year to secure big pay rises.
Pat Cullen, the union’s general secretary, said this year’s strikes had only resulted in “modest” progress on wages and workforce levels and further action was needed.
In a message to its half a million members, it accused politicians of doing just enough to “save their own skins” and not bring about the necessary “revolution”.
Ms Cullen expanded the union’s 2024 campaign to include calls for a safe workforce and fair pay for nurses. There are more than 40,000 nursing vacancies in England’s NHS, with staff regularly caring for 10 to 15 patients, which the RCN says are unsafe.
Ms Cullen told members her actions had “forced” ministers to supplement last year’s pay arrangements and “give more than they would have liked for the current year”.
Pat Cullen, the union’s general secretary, said this year’s strikes had only resulted in “modest” progress on wages and workforce levels and further action was needed.
She added: “2024 is a general election year and every party will be called upon by the RCN to show a clear vision and tough funding for nursing, the NHS and social care. “Let’s make sure our ministers push further than what you want again.”
According to NHS England, the three-day NHS strike affected 86,329 inpatient and outpatient appointments last week.
Junior doctors seeking a 35 per cent pay rise went on strike for 72 hours between 20 and 23 December and are now preparing for the longest strike in NHS history from 3 January.
According to NHS England, the number of appointments canceled due to industrial action since December 2022 is now over 1.2 million.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director at NHS England, said: “This latest round of strikes has put significantly greater pressure on an already overstretched health service.”
According to NHS England, the three-day NHS strike affected 86,329 inpatient and outpatient appointments last week
Junior doctors seeking a 35 per cent pay rise took a 72-hour strike between December 20 and 23 and are now preparing for the longest strike in NHS history
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents healthcare organisations, said NHS leaders “continue to despair” about the impact of the strikes on patients and looked forward to next week’s six-day doctors’ strike with “anxiety”. .
Health officials have warned that it is likely to cause widespread disruption, with the first week of the new year typically one of the busiest.
Earlier this year, RCN members were among a minority of non-medical health professionals who rejected a 5 per cent pay rise and a flat rate of at least £1,655.
But they were forced to accept the offer because they are part of a coalition of health unions that voted in favor of resolving the dispute. A subsequent RCN strike vote did not produce a large enough turnout for further industrial action.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the 5 per cent pay rise and one-off bonuses were “worth more than £2,000 on average for full-time nurses”.
A spokesman said: “We have recruited more than 50,000 additional nurses compared to 2019… and the long-term workforce plan will ensure that the NHS has the workforce it needs over the next fifteen years to ensure that patients continue to “receive the best possible care.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
