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Patients told to expect widespread disruption as nurses strike Ambulance staff and nurses to strike on same day
(about 2 hours later)
Patients are being warned to expect widespread disruption to services on Wednesday and Thursday, as nurses stage more strikes in England. Ambulance workers are to join nurses in taking strike action on 6 February in England and Wales in what will be the biggest NHS walkout in this dispute.
About one out of every four hospitals and community services will be affected by the walkouts, by Royal College of Nursing members, over the two days. The GMB announced four new walkouts for ambulance staff - one which coincides with a nurse strike date.
It comes after two days of strikes before Christmas in the pay dispute. It is the first time both ambulance staff and the Royal College of Nursing will have taken action on the same day.
As required under trade union laws, emergency care will be covered during the walkouts from 08:00 to 20:00. It comes as RCN members are taking part in two days of strikes on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
It will mean services such as chemotherapy, kidney dialysis and intensive care will be provided. What patients need to know on Wednesday
'Greater impact'
The biggest disruption is likely to be in pre-booked treatment such as hernia repair, hip replacements or outpatient clinics, along with community nursing. During last month's strike action, thousands of treatments and appointments had to be rescheduled.
But GP practices will run as normal, as nurses working in those services are not involved in the strike action.
Saffron Cordery of NHS Providers, which represents NHS services, said the scale of the walkout and the fact it was over two consecutive days meant it would probably have "greater impact".
"We're expecting widespread disruption," she said. "It will be felt on the day as well in the days that follow."
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, warned that without a pay deal patients would face the effects of a "prolonged war of attrition between the government and the unions".
"We've been saying for weeks that the strike action couldn't have come at a more difficult time for the NHS," he told the PA news agency. "But we hoped a compromise would be reached by now to bring an end to the impasse."
What patients need to know
People seriously ill or injured, and whose life is at risk, should call 999 as usual, or call 111 for non-urgent carePeople seriously ill or injured, and whose life is at risk, should call 999 as usual, or call 111 for non-urgent care
Other services, such as some cancer treatments or urgent testing, may be partially staffedOther services, such as some cancer treatments or urgent testing, may be partially staffed
More routine care is likely to be badly affected, including planned operations such as knee and hip replacements, community nursing services and health visitingMore routine care is likely to be badly affected, including planned operations such as knee and hip replacements, community nursing services and health visiting
Anyone with an appointment not already rearranged should attend at their allotted timeAnyone with an appointment not already rearranged should attend at their allotted time
GPs, community pharmacies and dentists will be unaffectedGPs, community pharmacies and dentists will be unaffected
Why are NHS staff striking? GMB national secretary Rachel Harrison said: "Ambulance workers are angry. In their own words 'they are done'.
What's the gap between public and private sector pay? "Our message to the government is clear - talk pay now."
RCN general secretary Pat Cullen, who represents more than 300,000 nurses, said the union regretted the impact. The walkouts by staff including paramedics, call handlers and support workers in seven of the 10 English ambulance services along with the national Welsh service will take place on 20 February, 6 March and 20 March as well as the 6 February one.
She said: "People aren't dying because nurses are striking. Nurses are striking because people are dying. That is how severe things are in the NHS and it is time the prime minister led a fight for its future. On Monday the RCN set 6 and 7 February as the dates for its biggest strike to date, involving more than a third of services in England and all but one health board in Wales.
"Today's record number of unfilled nurse jobs cannot be left to get worse. Pay nursing staff fairly to turn this around and give the public the care they deserve." Under trade union laws, both unions will have to provide emergency cover.
But it raises the prospect of urgent 999 calls for falls not being responded to and a huge chunk of pre-planned hospital care such as hernia repair, hip replacements or outpatient clinics not being done.
The call to get round the negotiating table was echoed by RCN general secretary Pat Cullen as her members walked out on Wednesday for the third time this winter.
"I am saying to the prime minister today, he can continue to have strikes if he continues to dig into his trenches.
"We have extended an olive branch, in fact the whole tree, to government. We've said meet us halfway, so now come on."
'I won't strike - but I back the fight''I won't strike - but I back the fight'
Clint Cooper, a nurse for nearly 30 years, will cross the picket line on Wednesday to work on a heart-care ward at Scarborough Hospital, in North Yorkshire, while fully supporting his striking colleagues.Clint Cooper, a nurse for nearly 30 years, will cross the picket line on Wednesday to work on a heart-care ward at Scarborough Hospital, in North Yorkshire, while fully supporting his striking colleagues.
"I believe in the principle of what my colleagues are doing," he says, "but I voted 'No', as I cannot walk out and leave my patients."I believe in the principle of what my colleagues are doing," he says, "but I voted 'No', as I cannot walk out and leave my patients.
'Last week, I had two patients who were very poorly and I wonder if I hadn't been there and escalated it, would they still be alive, if I had walked out - that's my conscience talking to me."'Last week, I had two patients who were very poorly and I wonder if I hadn't been there and escalated it, would they still be alive, if I had walked out - that's my conscience talking to me."
Nevertheless, the government needs to find the money for a bigger pay rise, Mr Cooper says.Nevertheless, the government needs to find the money for a bigger pay rise, Mr Cooper says.
'I'm a Tory voter - I have voted for them at every election apart from one - but I can't vote for them again," he says. "The NHS is in crisis.'I'm a Tory voter - I have voted for them at every election apart from one - but I can't vote for them again," he says. "The NHS is in crisis.
'This is not just about pay, it is about the future of the NHS. Nurses don't want clapping. They want the resources to do their job. They are highly skilled and they are the backbone of the NHS.''This is not just about pay, it is about the future of the NHS. Nurses don't want clapping. They want the resources to do their job. They are highly skilled and they are the backbone of the NHS.'
The RCN has asked for a pay rise of 5% above the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rate of inflation, which currently stands at 14%. Both unions have asked for above-inflation rises.
But the governments in England and Wales have given NHS staff an average of 4.75%, with everyone guaranteed at least £1,400 - as recommended by the independent NHS Pay Review Body.But the governments in England and Wales have given NHS staff an average of 4.75%, with everyone guaranteed at least £1,400 - as recommended by the independent NHS Pay Review Body.
Ms Cullen has said she is willing to compromise and meet ministers half-way. That is less than half the rate of inflation, although latest figures show the rate at which prices are rising has started to slow.
Meanwhile, patients are being warned to expect widespread disruption to services on Wednesday and Thursday because of the RCN walkout.
One out of every four hospitals and community services are affected by the strikes from 08:00 to 20:00.
But GP practices will run as normal, as nurses working in those services are not involved in the strike action.
Saffron Cordery of NHS Providers, which represents NHS services, said the scale of the walkout and the fact it was over two consecutive days meant it would probably have "greater impact".
"We're expecting widespread disruption," she said. "It will be felt on the day as well in the days that follow."
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, warned that without a pay deal patients would face the effects of a "prolonged war of attrition between the government and the unions".
But the government has made it clear it is not willing to move on this year's pay award.But the government has made it clear it is not willing to move on this year's pay award.
However, one option being explored by Health Secretary Steve Barclay is backdating the 2023-24 rise to January. It would normally kick in, in April. However, one option being explored by Health Secretary Steve Barclay is backdating the 2023-24 rise to January. It would normally kick in in April.
This has already been tabled in Scotland, leading to NHS strikes being halted for further negotiations - although staff there received a 7.5% pay rise this year.This has already been tabled in Scotland, leading to NHS strikes being halted for further negotiations - although staff there received a 7.5% pay rise this year.
But the Treasury has not agreed to the idea.But the Treasury has not agreed to the idea.
The RCN has announced more strikes on 6 and 7 February - on a bigger scale than the ones held so far involving over a third of services in England and Wales - if a fresh offer is not made. Physios and ambulance members at Unison and Untie will also be striking in parts of England and Wales next week.
Ms Cullen added: "I am saying to the prime minister today, he can continue to have strikes if he continues to dig into his trenches. Mr Barclay said he had had "constructive talks" with NHS unions and looked forward to continuing the dialogue.
"We have extended an olive branch, in fact the whole tree, to government. We've said meet us halfway, so now come on.
"Let's get round a table and let's stop the strikes so we don't have to continue this into February."
Mr Barclay said he had had "constructive talks" with the RCN and looked forward to continuing the dialogue.
The RCN, which represents about two-thirds of nurses, balloted more than 300,000 across individual NHS trusts and boards rather than in a single, national vote.
This means some nurses are not entitled to take industrial action, because the turnout in their local area was too low.
The RCN has a mandate in about half of the 209 services in England. The 55 affected this week are different from the 44 targeted before Christmas.
Ambulance staff and physiotherapists also plan to strike in the coming weeks.
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