NHS Pay Dispute: first nursing strike dates announced

Britain is currently experiencing its highest inflation rate in 41 years, and is squeezing its funding for the health care system. The recent rise on the cost of living has had an impact on everyone’s lives, leading to many dwelling on their pay as they struggle to afford the necessities. The Royal College of Nursing have confirmed they will go on strike due to this damaging financial cut, as the overwhelming pressure that is being put on staff is jeopardising their patient’s safety.

Recent analysis has shown that the salary of an experienced nurse has fallen by 20% since 2010, calculating that nurses today are working the equivalent of one day a week for nothing. At this current time, the salary for a band five nurse in England starts at around £27,000, with more experienced or senior nurses earning up to £55,000 a year. The RCN is currenting calling for a rise of 5% above the RPI inflation rate, which currently stands at above 12%, however no UK nation has offered anything close to that. The RCN say that without this 5% rise, patient care is being compromised due to the NHS being unsuccessful on being able to attract and retain nurses.

The pandemic has led to medical services worldwide being cancelled or postponed, leading to a backlog of millions of patients awaiting treatment. This has led to the NHS becoming overwhelmed and understaffed due to many leaving the profession from the pressure that they are being forced under. This has put further unprecedented pressure on the NHS and its funding, leading to low pay rises for staff, making many consider if they should stay in their role. As spoken about in one of our previous blogs, England's hospitals are already struggling to recruit staff for tens of thousands of nursing vacancies, making wards understaffed and nurses overworked.

Many nurses are experiencing financial pressure as they believe that they are being overworked for the pay that they are receiving. "The volume of work and the level of responsibility is unbelievable for the money you're on," says Luke, a nurse in Wales. Luke has voted in favour of the strike, after being in the role for six years. Luke has seen his outgoings rise by £400 a month and says that he is having to pick up extra shifts at the weekend just to make ends meet. Nurse Leena Myllynen has also spoken about her financial struggles, she says “I was never, ever able to make it through to payday, even when I worked extra hours”. Highlighting the pressures that are being faced by Nurses across England as they are struggling to afford the necessities on the wage and hours that they are working. One in four hospitals have had to introduce food banks in order to support staff who are struggling, as well as providing them with stability knowing that there will be food available for them.

Despite Individuals being encouraged to strike for better pay rates, NHS bosses in England have arranged to prioritise their ‘critical services’, including their A&E and emergency surgeries during the strikes. However, planned operations and outpatient appointments are likely to be postponed, as well as sessions of chemotherapy having to be rearranged. In addition to this, NHS trusts who already have long waiting lists will particularly suffer from these strikes as the back log of appointments will increase the pressure on staff. A trust in particular who will suffer is the University Hospitals Birmingham, where more than 159,000 people are already waiting to undergo surgery.

The strike will be the first time UK-wide action will be taken by RCN members in its 106-year history. The RCN has announced that many hospitals, as well as other places of NHS care will take action before Christmas, with strikes having the possibility of continuing anytime until May 2023. Nurses, as well as 30,000 Midwives, have been urged to take part and back the strike in order to make an impact which in hope will bring a positive change for the health care sector.

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