By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Nurses across four NHS organisations in Nottinghamshire have voted to strike before Christmas.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced detailed results of its ballot on Wednesday (November). Members have voted to strike for the first time in the union’s 106-year history.
The union represents almost half a million nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives in the UK. Around two thirds of all nurses are members.
RCN confirmed members at Nottingham University Hospitals, East Midlands Ambulance Service, the Integrated Care Board and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust had opted to strike.
A date has not been set but the union says it plans to hold action before Christmas.
The RCN is demanding a pay rise of five per cent above inflation, which is currently over 12 per cent.
The Government has already given NHS staff an average rise of 4.75 per cent earlier this year.
But the RCN says its members at 130 NHS Trusts have chosen to strike over ongoing pay and patient safety concerns.
Dr Neil Pease, Chief People Officer at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Like all of our staff, we want to see a resolution to the strikes as soon as possible. We have tried and tested plans in place to ensure that there is minimal disruption to patient care and that emergency services continue to operate as normal.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We value the hard work of NHS staff including nurses, and are working hard to support them – including by giving over one million NHS workers a pay rise of at least £1,400 this year as recommended by the independent NHS Pay Review Body, on top of 3% last year when pay was frozen in the wider public sector.
“Industrial action is a matter for unions, and we urge them to carefully consider the potential impacts on patients.”
The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to minimise disruption and will work with providers, professional bodies and trade unions to ensure safe care for patients continues to be available and emergency services continue to operate as normal.
