Nurses strike – First day of the biggest nurses strike in NHS history 

Nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have started their walk-out – the first of two day-long strikes over pay. The second strike is due on December 20. 

It’s the biggest nurses strike in NHS history. 

Staff will continue to provide “life preserving” and some urgent care but routine services are likely to be disrupted. 

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) want a 19% pay rise and says below-inflation increases are compromising care by making it hard to attract and retain nurses. But the government sats the RCN’s 19% was unaffordable and that it has met independent recommendations on pay. 

What will be impacted? 

The biggest impacts are likely to be pre-booked treatment such as hip replacements or outpatient clinics. 

Chemotherapy and kidney dialysis should run as normal, along with intensive and critical care, and children’s accident and emergency and hospital neonatal units. 

Monday’s talks with government 

The government and RCN met on Monday for last-ditch talks. It did not end well with the RCN leader Pat Cullen accusing the health secretary of “belligerence” and turning his back on nurses. 

At present, there are no plans for future talks. 

Labour have slammed the government and says more pay has to be on the table for the nurses. 

But the PM’s office has said a fair offer was made and it was necessary to stand up to unions in pay rows.