The RCN says there is “no sign” the Health Secretary is going to open formal negotiations.
A union deadline for the Government to formally open negotiations on nurse pay is looming.
Last week the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) issued an ultimatum to the Government after its members voted in favour of strike action – you have five days to start negotiating or we announce strike dates before Christmas.
The RCN said on Sunday there was “no sign” Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay was going to take up his seat at the table.
Appearing on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Barclay has admitted the “hugely value the work that nurses do” but claims the current NHS issues are about more than just pay.
Lack of intention and inability to see the urgency of this situation.
Responding to health secretary Steve Barclay’s comments RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen said: “The health secretary’s lack of intention and inability to see the urgency of this situation will trouble every nurse.
“Just an hour after we again urged him to come to the negotiating table to have a detailed, formal discussions on pay and patient safety, he showed no signs of doing so.
“He has finally admitted what we’ve been saying about years of neglect, underinvestment and, as a result, underperformance, but that is not enough.
“This is a key week for health and care. We need ministers to be bold and adopt a radical new position with serious investment in nursing, including fair pay. If governments don’t follow Nicola Sturgeon’s lead in Scotland, we will announce strike dates in December for the rest of the UK.”
