Health bosses urge strike deal as talks take place

As reported by the BBC, a deal must be found to end the NHS strikes ahead of the ‘winter onslaught’, health managers say

NHS Providers interim chief executive Saffron Cordery said the “last thing” the NHS needed was prolonged industrial action as winter hits.

She said there was no doubt patients would lose out, with longer waits for hospital treatment.

Unions in England are meeting ministers on Tuesday after Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members voted to strike.

Health secretary Steve Barclay is meeting RCN leaders along with representatives of the other major NHS unions, including Unison, GMB and Unite, which are all balloting over industrial action.

The votes could lead to paramedics, health care assistants, porters and cleaners joining nurses in taking strike action.

While emergency care will be protected during the RCN strike, Ms Cordery said there was “no doubt” patients would still be affected.

The major fear is that the waiting list for planned treatment will grow even more – there are already more than 7m people in England waiting for treatment; a record high.

Ms Cordery said: “We understand the frustration felt by nurses following years of below-inflation pay settlements, the rising cost of living, and working through a pandemic, and we strongly urge both sides in these talks to find a deal that recognises their hard work and skills.

“The last thing the health service needs right now is prolonged industrial action. It’s good to see dialogue taking place.”

The meeting comes after Mr Barclay briefly met RCN general secretary Patricia Cullen last week following the announcement that the union’s members had voted for strikes in more than half the hospitals, mental health and community services in England. The strike action will also affect Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.