Nursing union announces TWO more NHS strike dates

Nurses will strike again in the New Year, with chaos planned on back-to-back days.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will stage more walk-outs on January 18 and 19. Even more dates will be confirmed next month.  

Almost 30,000 operations and appointments were cancelled because of its strikes on December 15 and 20, which were the biggest in NHS history.

Meanwhile, next week’s ambulance walk-outs have been cancelled.  

Striking nurses at Leeds General Hospital mocked Health Secretary Steve Barclay with a jokey rendition of Santa Clause Is Coming To Town while on the picket line on December 20

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) General Secretary Pat Cullen, centre, joined members of the RCN on the picket line outside the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle on December 20

Thousands of paramedics and ambulance staff represented by GMB were preparing to strike again on December 28.

But the union — one of three to take part in December 20’s action, the biggest 999 walk-out in 30 years — claimed it had U-turned because it was ‘overwhelmed’ by the ‘incredible British public’.

Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary said: ‘People across the country have been wonderful in backing us and we care so much about them too. We know the public will appreciate being able to enjoy Christmas without any additional anxiety. They support us and we support them.’

Meanwhile, Unison has confirmed plans for even more disruption in January with two bigger ambulance walk-outs.

Members in five services in England will strike on January 11 and 23. The action will involve all employees — not just 999 crews, as was the case on Wednesday.

Unite, the other union behind this week’s chaotic ambulance walk-outs, confirmed staff in Wales will strike in January, too.

Unions want inflation-busting pay rises, with the RCN demanding 19 per cent. 

Its boss has, however, said she will compromise if ministers were willing to negotiate.

But the Government has refused to stump up any extra cash, sticking to its original offer of around 4 per cent.

Members of the RCN on the picket line outside St Thomas’ Hospital on December 20

Some 4,560 inpatient procedures were rescheduled because of the RCN action over the two days. This includes routine procedures like hip and knee replacements, which require an overnight stay in hospital. Another 25,000 outpatient appointments were postponed across England because of the walk-outs last Thursday and yesterday. This usually includes appointments, X-rays and minor procedures. Most of the chaos was caused at Nottingham University Hospitals (2,413), followed by Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Hospitals (2,313). Map shows total for both inpatient and outpatient appointments cancelled

What is the truth about the nursing crisis? 

NHS nurses: A workforce where women outnumber men by a significant margin and a significant number are approaching retirement or seeking a better work-life balance. Pay is the central issue at the heart of the strikes, with the average nurse earing £37,000. This estimate includes both new graduates, who start on £27,055, and very senior nurses who earn more

Health Secretary Steve Barclay is considering fast-tracking next year’s NHS pay rise in a bid to resolve the dispute. He has already hinted that staff can ‘look forward’ to next year’s review.

RCN chief executive Pat Cullen said: ‘The Government had the opportunity to end this dispute before Christmas but instead they have chosen to push nursing staff out into the cold again in January.

‘I do not wish to prolong this dispute, but the Prime Minister has left us with no choice.’

Ms Cullen, who joined picket lines last week, added: ‘The public support has been heart-warming.

‘And I am more convinced than ever that this is the right thing to do for patients and the future of the NHS.

‘The voice of nursing will not be ignored. Staff shortages and low pay make patient care unsafe – the sooner ministers come to the negotiating table, the sooner this can be resolved. I will not dig in, if they don’t dig in.’

Dozens of hospitals took part in last week’s strikes, which saw a bank holiday-style service ran in many wards across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Cancer patients were among those denied care in the RCN’s first national strike in its 106-year history.

Some services, including chemotherapy and dialysis, were exempt.

January’s strikes are only planned for England at the moment — but the union hinted that action is looming for the rest of the UK.

Some 9,999 staff were absent from work due to the walk-outs on December 15. Another 11,509 were recorded for December 20. Most disruption was logged in the South West, with 4,748 staff taking part over the two days

Ambulance workers on the picket line in London on December 21, in an ongoing dispute over pay

In other related news… 

How bad are ambulance delays at YOUR hospital? Use our interactive tool to find out… as data reveals 85% of paramedic crews face 30minute waits outside busiest A&Es 

Prepare for MORE ambulance chaos! Unison announces two more strike dates in January as another union plots walk-out in Wales 

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