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| Thousands of treatments lost during nurse strikes | Thousands of treatments lost during nurse strikes |
| (2 months later) | |
| Thousands of NHS operations and appointments have had to be cancelled because of the nurses' strikes in England this week. | Thousands of NHS operations and appointments have had to be cancelled because of the nurses' strikes in England this week. |
| Over the two days, NHS England said 27,800 bookings had to be rescheduled, including 5,000 operations and treatments. | Over the two days, NHS England said 27,800 bookings had to be rescheduled, including 5,000 operations and treatments. |
| There were more than 30 hospital trusts affected with some saying between 10% to 20% of normal activity was lost. | There were more than 30 hospital trusts affected with some saying between 10% to 20% of normal activity was lost. |
| They warned the dispute was hampering progress in reducing the backlog. | They warned the dispute was hampering progress in reducing the backlog. |
| Currently more than 7 million people - one in eight of the population - are on a waiting list for planned care, such as knee and hip operations. | Currently more than 7 million people - one in eight of the population - are on a waiting list for planned care, such as knee and hip operations. |
| During the strikes, nurses provided emergency cover but routine care was affected. | During the strikes, nurses provided emergency cover but routine care was affected. |
| This included operations as well as outpatient appointments and check-ups. | This included operations as well as outpatient appointments and check-ups. |
| Hospitals reported finding it most difficult to carry out surgery because of the lack of theatre nurses and staff on wards to provide post-op care. | Hospitals reported finding it most difficult to carry out surgery because of the lack of theatre nurses and staff on wards to provide post-op care. |
| At University College London Hospital, two-thirds of its operations and procedures were cancelled and one in seven outpatient appointments. | At University College London Hospital, two-thirds of its operations and procedures were cancelled and one in seven outpatient appointments. |
| Overall, this meant around 20% of its planned activity for the strike days had to be rescheduled, affecting over 2,000 patients. | Overall, this meant around 20% of its planned activity for the strike days had to be rescheduled, affecting over 2,000 patients. |
| At Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals 13% of their planned bookings were put back. | At Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals 13% of their planned bookings were put back. |
| Other places the BBC contacted reported similar levels of disruption. | Other places the BBC contacted reported similar levels of disruption. |
| 'Big knock-on effect' | 'Big knock-on effect' |
| Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, which represents hospital bosses, said the strike days caused "significant disruption" and were "some of the hardest" hospitals have had to cope with this winter. | Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, which represents hospital bosses, said the strike days caused "significant disruption" and were "some of the hardest" hospitals have had to cope with this winter. |
| She said it would have a "big knock-on effect on efforts to tackle the backlog". | She said it would have a "big knock-on effect on efforts to tackle the backlog". |
| "The ramifications go well beyond the day itself. We are deeply concerned by this pile-up of demand, which will only continue with more strikes on the horizon." | "The ramifications go well beyond the day itself. We are deeply concerned by this pile-up of demand, which will only continue with more strikes on the horizon." |
| The RCN has announced two more strikes on 6 and 7 February, involving even more services. | The RCN has announced two more strikes on 6 and 7 February, involving even more services. |
| This week's strikes involved a quarter of hospitals, but in February close to half of hospitals will be involved. | This week's strikes involved a quarter of hospitals, but in February close to half of hospitals will be involved. |
| Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which also represents hospitals, added his members were "increasingly concerned" about the dispute. | Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which also represents hospitals, added his members were "increasingly concerned" about the dispute. |
| He said it was particularly dispiriting because in November, before the strikes had started, the NHS had finally started to make inroads in the backlog - the waiting list fell slightly for the first time since the pandemic began. | He said it was particularly dispiriting because in November, before the strikes had started, the NHS had finally started to make inroads in the backlog - the waiting list fell slightly for the first time since the pandemic began. |
| "The longer this vicious cycle continues the longer it will take for the NHS to tackle the backlog." | "The longer this vicious cycle continues the longer it will take for the NHS to tackle the backlog." |
| RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said: "I'm sorry that people have had their operations cancelled. But look at the bigger picture, operations are cancelled every day of the week because there are not enough nurses. | RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said: "I'm sorry that people have had their operations cancelled. But look at the bigger picture, operations are cancelled every day of the week because there are not enough nurses. |
| "Nursing staff did not create this situation - it was the government's refusal to invest in nursing and tackle the workforce crisis which has led us to where we are now." | "Nursing staff did not create this situation - it was the government's refusal to invest in nursing and tackle the workforce crisis which has led us to where we are now." |
| On Friday, the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association announced the junior doctors it represents had backed strike action by 97%. | On Friday, the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association announced the junior doctors it represents had backed strike action by 97%. |
| The group is a smaller trade union, and has just over 3,000 members. The British Medical Association - which represents around 45,000 junior doctors - is set to announce the result of its strike ballot at the end of February. | The group is a smaller trade union, and has just over 3,000 members. The British Medical Association - which represents around 45,000 junior doctors - is set to announce the result of its strike ballot at the end of February. |
| Currently one in eight nurse posts in the NHS in England is vacant. | Currently one in eight nurse posts in the NHS in England is vacant. |
| The government argues it has awarded NHS staff the rise recommended by the independent NHS Pay Review Body - 4.75% on average - and meeting the demands of the RCN, which wants 5% above inflation, would hamper its attempts to get rising prices under control. | The government argues it has awarded NHS staff the rise recommended by the independent NHS Pay Review Body - 4.75% on average - and meeting the demands of the RCN, which wants 5% above inflation, would hamper its attempts to get rising prices under control. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital | Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital |
| Health | |
| NHS | NHS |
| Royal College of Nursing | Royal College of Nursing |
| Strike action | Strike action |