This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63558472

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Royal College of Nursing set to confirm result of strike vote Nurses in Scotland vote for strike action in pay dispute
(about 16 hours later)
Staff have been protesting and calling for a better deal Members of Scotland's largest nursing union have voted for strike action.
Scotland's largest nursing union is set to confirm if its members have become the latest NHS staff to vote for strike action. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced the result of a ballot of more than 30,000 health and social care workers.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will announce the result of a ballot of more than 30,000 health and social care workers on Wednesday. The most recent Scottish government pay offer was for a flat rate of £2,205 per person, backdated to April.
The most recent Scottish government pay offer is for a flat rate of £2,205 per person, backdated to April. Ministers have warned there is no more money to fund public sector pay rises and Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said a strike would be "catastrophic".
Ministers have warned there is no more money to fund public sector pay rises.
But the RCN previously described the deal as a real-terms pay cut and accused the government of not listening to staff concerns.But the RCN previously described the deal as a real-terms pay cut and accused the government of not listening to staff concerns.
It had asked for at least 5% above inflation which rose to 10.1% in September.It had asked for at least 5% above inflation which rose to 10.1% in September.
More NHS workers back strike action over pay disputeMore NHS workers back strike action over pay dispute
No more money to fund public sector pay risesNo more money to fund public sector pay rises
Why are nurses balloting for strike action?Why are nurses balloting for strike action?
Last month, members staged a protest outside the Scottish Parliament after the union confirmed it was balloting all 300,000 UK members for the first time in its 106-year history.Last month, members staged a protest outside the Scottish Parliament after the union confirmed it was balloting all 300,000 UK members for the first time in its 106-year history.
If the RCN reject the latest pay proposal they will join about 2,500 workers in the Unite union who voted for industrial action last week. The RCN joins about 2,500 workers in the Unite union who voted for industrial action last week.
Members of the GMB union and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have also backed strike action.Members of the GMB union and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have also backed strike action.
But Unison, Scotland's largest health union, has suspended its strike ballot of NHS staff and is consulting its members on a revised pay offer until 14 November.But Unison, Scotland's largest health union, has suspended its strike ballot of NHS staff and is consulting its members on a revised pay offer until 14 November.
Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf talks to a registered nurse during a visit to an Edinburgh care home to launch the winter vaccine programme Physician associate Peju Adeyemo and Health Secretary Humza Yousaf chats at Bangholm Medical Centre in Edinburgh
The looming prospect of industrial action comes after Scottish hospitals recorded their worst ever accident and emergency waiting times. The looming industrial action comes after Scottish hospitals recorded their worst ever accident and emergency waiting times.
New figures published on Tuesday show that more than 9,600 patients waited more than four hours in the emergency department in the final week of October.New figures published on Tuesday show that more than 9,600 patients waited more than four hours in the emergency department in the final week of October.
Just 63.1% of patients were treated and either admitted, transferred or discharged within the target time, according to Public Health Scotland.Just 63.1% of patients were treated and either admitted, transferred or discharged within the target time, according to Public Health Scotland.
Opposition parties warned the situation would only get worse as winter pressures mounted.Opposition parties warned the situation would only get worse as winter pressures mounted.
Last month, the chairman of the doctors' union BMA Scotland recently warned Scotland's NHS was in "a perilous situation" amid a staffing and funding crisis.Last month, the chairman of the doctors' union BMA Scotland recently warned Scotland's NHS was in "a perilous situation" amid a staffing and funding crisis.
The new offer means an average salary increase of 7%, with the lowest paid gaining more than 11% and qualified nursing staff receiving up to 8.45%.The new offer means an average salary increase of 7%, with the lowest paid gaining more than 11% and qualified nursing staff receiving up to 8.45%.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf described the deal as "the largest of its kind since devolution" and said it reflected the hard work of staff during the pandemic.Health Secretary Humza Yousaf described the deal as "the largest of its kind since devolution" and said it reflected the hard work of staff during the pandemic.
But unions have called for an enhanced deal that reflects the pressures facing households due to the cost of living crisis, which has been caused by rising energy bills and soaring food prices. He told BBC Scotland that the health service was already under significant pressures.
"We're just getting into the winter where we expect those pressures to increase, so of course a strike would be catastrophic.
"I don't think anyone can say otherwise," he said.
Mr Yousaf said he hoped to continue dialogue with the unions to avert the strike.
"Nobody wants a strike to take place in a health service that is already extremely stretched and in the midst of winter," he added.
He added that the UK government should "put its hand in its pocket" to provide more funding for such pay deals, saying: "I don't have any more money."
Unions have called for an enhanced deal that reflects the pressures facing households due to the cost of living crisis, which has been caused by rising energy bills and soaring food prices.
In England and Wales, NHS staff, including nurses, have been given an average of 4.75% more, with extra for the lowest paid.In England and Wales, NHS staff, including nurses, have been given an average of 4.75% more, with extra for the lowest paid.
Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, nurses are yet to receive a pay award.Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, nurses are yet to receive a pay award.
Last week, Finance Secretary John Swinney unveiled details of a further £615m worth of spending cuts.
The "reductions and reprioritisations" are in addition to another £560m of cuts that were announced in September.
Mr Swinney later told BBC Scotland that although cash had been moved around in the health budget to give NHS staff a better offer, further pay increases would mean cuts elsewhere.
A number of groups including teachers and firefighters could also strike if pay disputes are not resolved.
'The NHS is stretched like never before'
Analysis by Claire McAllister, BBC Scotland health producer
No-one I've spoken to working in healthcare is excited by the prospect of striking. They talk with passion about their jobs but say they can't ignore issues they have with pay and conditions.
If the RCN ballot comes back in favour of strike, there's no timetable for when it'll happen. Some difficult conversations between unions and health boards would be held to ensure emergency treatment and care is in place on days of industrial action.
Other healthcare unions that represent the likes of paramedics, midwives and physiotherapists have already voted in favour of strikes.
Industrial action could still be avoided if deals are struck but the Scottish government says there's no more money on the table after rearranging the health budget to afford its latest offer.
A difficult stalemate at a time when the NHS is stretched like never before.
Do you work in the NHS? Please share your experiences of the current challenges facing the health service. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Do you work in the NHS? Please share your experiences of the current challenges facing the health service. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSayTweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Upload pictures or videoUpload pictures or video
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policyPlease read our terms & conditions and privacy policy
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.