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NHS strikes: Why are nurses and ambulance staff taking industrial action? NHS strikes: Why are nurses and ambulance staff taking industrial action?
(1 day later)
Nurses, ambulance staff and physiotherapists are striking over pay.Nurses, ambulance staff and physiotherapists are striking over pay.
The action has led to concerns about NHS funding and the care of patients.The action has led to concerns about NHS funding and the care of patients.
When are NHS staff striking?When are NHS staff striking?
NursesNurses
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members in England are striking on 18 and 19 January.Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members in England are striking on 18 and 19 January.
Two further strikes will be held on 6 and 7 February, unless there is movement on pay.Two further strikes will be held on 6 and 7 February, unless there is movement on pay.
The RCN says these strikes would be the biggest so far, affecting more than a third of NHS trusts in England and all but one Welsh health board.The RCN says these strikes would be the biggest so far, affecting more than a third of NHS trusts in England and all but one Welsh health board.
The union has about 300,000 members - roughly two-thirds of NHS nurses.The union has about 300,000 members - roughly two-thirds of NHS nurses.
The RCN and GMB unions in Scotland have put strike action on hold to allow talks on the 2023 pay offer.The RCN and GMB unions in Scotland have put strike action on hold to allow talks on the 2023 pay offer.
Ambulance staffAmbulance staff
Some ambulance staff in England and Wales will strike again on 23 January.Some ambulance staff in England and Wales will strike again on 23 January.
Unison members will take action for 24 hours in London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and the South West.Unison members will take action for 24 hours in London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and the South West.
Unite members will walk out for 24 hours in the North West, North East, East Midlands and Wales, and 12 hours in the West Midlands.Unite members will walk out for 24 hours in the North West, North East, East Midlands and Wales, and 12 hours in the West Midlands.
Call-centre and control-room staff will take part, as well as emergency crews.Call-centre and control-room staff will take part, as well as emergency crews.
What do the strikes mean for patients?What do the strikes mean for patients?
NursesNurses
Life-preserving treatment must be provided. All nurses in intensive and emergency care are expected to work.Life-preserving treatment must be provided. All nurses in intensive and emergency care are expected to work.
Anyone who is seriously ill or injured should still call 999, or 111 for non-urgent care.Anyone who is seriously ill or injured should still call 999, or 111 for non-urgent care.
Most of the 73 NHS trusts involved in the February strikes are hospitals.Most of the 73 NHS trusts involved in the February strikes are hospitals.
The biggest disruption is therefore likely to be in pre-booked treatment such as hernia repair, hip replacements or outpatient clinics.The biggest disruption is therefore likely to be in pre-booked treatment such as hernia repair, hip replacements or outpatient clinics.
However, services such as chemotherapy, kidney dialysis and intensive care will be staffed, as part of emergency cover.However, services such as chemotherapy, kidney dialysis and intensive care will be staffed, as part of emergency cover.
Patients told to expect disruption as nurses strike
Ambulance staffAmbulance staff
The advice remains to call 999 in an emergency.The advice remains to call 999 in an emergency.
The most life-threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest - will be responded to by an ambulanceThe most life-threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest - will be responded to by an ambulance
Conditions which are serious but not immediately life-threatening might not be immediately attendedConditions which are serious but not immediately life-threatening might not be immediately attended
Less urgent calls - such as a woman in late-stage labour - will not be prioritisedLess urgent calls - such as a woman in late-stage labour - will not be prioritised
Those who have a fall, or suffer other non-life-threatening injuries are unlikely to receive 999 care.Those who have a fall, or suffer other non-life-threatening injuries are unlikely to receive 999 care.
What calls will ambulances answer on strike day?What calls will ambulances answer on strike day?
Ambulance strike cover insufficient, says BarclayAmbulance strike cover insufficient, says Barclay
What do unions want?What do unions want?
The RCN is calling for a 19% pay rise. Ambulance workers also want above-inflation pay rises, but have not announced a figure.The RCN is calling for a 19% pay rise. Ambulance workers also want above-inflation pay rises, but have not announced a figure.
The government says the demands are unaffordable, and that pay rises are decided by independent pay review bodies.The government says the demands are unaffordable, and that pay rises are decided by independent pay review bodies.
NHS staff in England and Wales - including nurses - have already received an average increase of 4.75%. The lowest paid were guaranteed a rise of at least £1,400NHS staff in England and Wales - including nurses - have already received an average increase of 4.75%. The lowest paid were guaranteed a rise of at least £1,400
In Northern Ireland, nurses will receive the same increase, which will be backdatedIn Northern Ireland, nurses will receive the same increase, which will be backdated
In Scotland, a pay offer averaging 7.5% has been accepted by some unionsIn Scotland, a pay offer averaging 7.5% has been accepted by some unions
Fourteen health unions, representing more than a million NHS workers in England, said they will no longer work with the NHS Pay Review Body on discussions about the 2023-24 pay deal.Fourteen health unions, representing more than a million NHS workers in England, said they will no longer work with the NHS Pay Review Body on discussions about the 2023-24 pay deal.
Are pay review bodies completely independent?Are pay review bodies completely independent?
What's the gap between public and private sector pay?What's the gap between public and private sector pay?
Would pay demands cost an extra £28bn?Would pay demands cost an extra £28bn?
How much are ambulance workers paid?How much are ambulance workers paid?
The average salary for ambulance staff in England were £46,643 for April 2021 to March 2022, according to NHS Digital.The average salary for ambulance staff in England were £46,643 for April 2021 to March 2022, according to NHS Digital.
Of this, £13,854 came from extra payments for things like shift work and overtime.Of this, £13,854 came from extra payments for things like shift work and overtime.
Workers classed as support staff - such as ambulance technicians and non-emergency ambulance drivers - received £29,139 on average, of which £7,842 came from extra payments.Workers classed as support staff - such as ambulance technicians and non-emergency ambulance drivers - received £29,139 on average, of which £7,842 came from extra payments.
How much are nurses paid?How much are nurses paid?
The starting salary for a nurse is England is just over £27,000 a year. This is the bottom of pay band five of the NHS contract, known as Agenda for Change.The starting salary for a nurse is England is just over £27,000 a year. This is the bottom of pay band five of the NHS contract, known as Agenda for Change.
Staff such as healthcare assistants, porters and cleaners are on lower pay bands.Staff such as healthcare assistants, porters and cleaners are on lower pay bands.
Workers are entitled to in-the-job increases within their pay band.Workers are entitled to in-the-job increases within their pay band.
A nurse with four years' experience could expect to earn close to £33,000 - the top end of pay band five.A nurse with four years' experience could expect to earn close to £33,000 - the top end of pay band five.
The most senior nurse consultants can earn up to nearly £55,000.The most senior nurse consultants can earn up to nearly £55,000.
Does the average nurse earn £34,000 a year?Does the average nurse earn £34,000 a year?
Would every 1% rise to nurses' pay cost £700m?Would every 1% rise to nurses' pay cost £700m?
Are other NHS staff striking?Are other NHS staff striking?
PhysiotherapistsPhysiotherapists
Up to 4,200 NHS physiotherapy staff across England will strike on 26 January and 9 February.Up to 4,200 NHS physiotherapy staff across England will strike on 26 January and 9 February.
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) said further dates will be announced without an improved pay offer.The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) said further dates will be announced without an improved pay offer.
Junior doctorsJunior doctors
The British Medical Association (BMA) opened a strike ballot for junior doctors on 9 January, which will run until 20 February.The British Medical Association (BMA) opened a strike ballot for junior doctors on 9 January, which will run until 20 February.
The BMA says staff will walk out for 72 hours in March if the ballot is successful.The BMA says staff will walk out for 72 hours in March if the ballot is successful.