Nurse strikes in England: when is the next planned walkout?
This is the latest in a long line of strike action by health workers across the NHS.
Health workers have gone on strike several times in 2023 in disputes over pay and conditions.
The government thought they could bully nursing into silence. They were wrong.
Tonight at 8pm, we’re launching the largest #RCNStrike action to date.
Be a part of it – set a reminder and join us live here: https://t.co/dkkY186n4g#FairPayForNursing pic.twitter.com/f9yAN6iH1R
— The RCN (@theRCN) April 30, 2023
When is the next nurse strike?
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will strike over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The strike action will begin at 8pm on Sunday, April 30, and last until 11.59pm on Monday, May 1 after the RCN voted to reject the latest pay offer from the Government.
A High Court judge ruled on Thursday it would be unlawful for the RCN strike to continue into Tuesday as originally planned, meaning it will now end just before midnight on Monday.
Unions including Unison and the GMB have voted in favour of the Government pay offer to end the strikes, while Unite and the RCN have voted against it.
NHS England warned that staffing levels for some areas of the country will be “exceptionally low, lower than on previous strike days” and urged the public to use the health service wisely.
It added the number of rescheduled appointments due to strike action is set to hit half a million next week.
This weekend #RCNStrike action will demonstrate how central nursing staff are to the NHS in England. We will have measures in place to protect ‘life and limb’ care.
If you’re taking strike action, here’s what you need to know. [1/5]
— The RCN (@theRCN) April 28, 2023
RCN general secretary Pat Cullen defended the strike and said cancelled medical appointments were not just the result of industrial action.
NHS England said emergency and urgent care would remain the priority, with people asked to use other services such as pharmacies and 111 where possible.
Exemptions in place during nurse strikes
On Friday, RCN said it would grant some exemptions during the strikes set to kick off at 8pm tonight.
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is among organisations where nurses have agreed to exemptions after it voiced “serious concerns” about patient safety during the walkout.