The RCN has failed to gain enough votes to continue striking for better pay (Picture: PA)
Strikes held by NHS nurses could come to an end after a union ballot failed to get the turnout required by law.
Tens of thousands of NHS staff have staged a series of walkouts since December last year in protest over the Government’s pay offer.
The Royal College of Nursing said 84% of its members who voted backed more strikes.
But only 43% took part in the ballot, so it failed to reach the legal threshold of 50% required by the 2016 Trade Union Act.
RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said in an email to members: ‘To every one of you who took part, whether by voting or encouraging others to, thank you. We have so much to be proud of.
‘While the vast majority of members who returned their ballot papers voted in favour of strike action, we did not meet the 50% turnout threshold necessary for us to be able to take further strike action.
‘While this will be disappointing for many of you, the fight for the fair pay and safe staffing that our profession, our patients, and our NHS deserves, is far from over.
‘This week, the Government will say it has a plan for the NHS workforce. I am seeing the Prime Minister this afternoon to hear him out and to ask him the questions you wanted answering on his commitment to nurses and support workers.
‘I know staff morale is low and the staffing crisis is set to worsen without immediate action. I will be telling him this today.
‘We have started something special – the voice of nursing has never been stronger and we’re going to keep using it.’