A massive 73 NHS trusts in England will take strike action for two consecutive days.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced further strike dates following the Government’s refusal to negotiate with the union.
If progress is not made by the end of January, RCN members in England and Wales will strike again for 12 hours on both Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 February 2023.
In England, there will be action at 73 NHS trusts ramping up from 44 in December and 55 in January.
The RCN will not take action in Northern Ireland on this occasion. In Scotland, strike action remains paused while negotiations continue.
Earlier this month, health unions announced they would boycott the “independent” NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) for as long as the ongoing industrial disputes remain unresolved.
The new strike dates in February coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Francis report and his findings on the impact of nurse shortages on patient mortality.
Refusing to negotiate.
The announcement to escalate action even further comes after the RCN has repeatedly urged ministers to open negotiations on NHS pay.
According to the unions, the value of salaries for experienced nurses today are 20 per cent lower in real terms leading to issues with nurse recruitment and retention.
Announcing the strike, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen said: “It is with a heavy heart that nursing staff are striking this week and again in three weeks. Rather than negotiate, Rishi Sunak has chosen strike action again.
“We are doing this in a desperate bid to get him and ministers to rescue the NHS. The only credible solution is to address the tens of thousands of unfilled jobs – patient care is suffering like never before.
“My olive branch to government – asking them to meet me halfway and begin negotiations – is still there. They should grab it.”
