The latest official figures put the number of unfilled nursing vacancies at a record 47,000.
Many hospital wards report having “the best staffing for years” during yesterday’s historic strike action.
Tens of thousands of nurses went on strike yesterday following over a decade of real-terms pay cuts and amid ever-deteriorating working conditions.
The latest official figures put the number of unfilled nursing vacancies at a record 47,000.
NursingNotes has been told that many striking hospitals saw drastically improved ward staffing levels due to the cancellation of some elective activities and other staff members helping with patient care.
One executive nurse told us, “Ward staffing levels are quite possibly at the best for decades… Doctors, AHPs, and senior nurses have been down to help with patient care – support for nurses was shown across the board.”
Showered with support.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) says striking workers were showered with public support while taking industrial action on one of the coldest days of the year.
RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen, said: “Today will be a turning point in the campaign for fair nursing pay. At the end of it, ministers find themselves under fresh pressure from unexpected places – their own MPs, NHS leaders and a former chair of the Pay Review Body.
“Each of these groups, for different reasons, wants the government to stop hiding behind its current fig leaf.
“On a bitterly cold day, the public warmth towards nursing staff was immense. For my members, this has been about professional pride, not personal hardship – speaking up for nursing, patients and the future of the NHS.”
RCN members are expected to strike again on Tuesday if government ministers continue to refuse to negotiate.
