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NHS strike dates: Why are nurses and ambulance staff taking industrial action? NHS strike dates: Why are nurses and ambulance staff taking industrial action?
(4 days later)
Nurses, ambulance staff and physiotherapists are striking over pay.Nurses, ambulance staff and physiotherapists are striking over pay.
The NHS's biggest day of industrial action this winter is expected to take place on 6 February.
When are NHS staff striking?When are NHS staff striking?
NursesNurses
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members in England are striking on 6 and 7 February.Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members in England are striking on 6 and 7 February.
The RCN says these will be the biggest strikes so far, affecting more than a third of NHS trusts in England and all but one Welsh health board. The RCN says these are the biggest nursing strikes 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 put strike action on hold to allow talks on the 2023 pay offer.
Re-open NHS pay talks, bosses plead as staff strike
Nurses call on Sunak to make new pay offer
Ambulance staffAmbulance staff
Unite members are striking on the following dates:Unite members are striking on the following dates:
West Midlands: 6 and 17 February, and 6 and 20 March West Midlands: 17 February, and 6 and 20 March
North East: 6 and 20 February, and 6 and 20 March North East: 20 February, and 6 and 20 March
East Midlands: 6 and 20 February, and 6 and 20 March East Midlands: 20 February, and 6 and 20 March
North West: 6 and 22 February, 6 and 20 March North West: 22 February, 6 and 20 March
Wales: 6 and 20 February, and 6 and 20 March Wales: 20 February, and 6 and 20 March
Northern Ireland: 16, 17, 23 and 24 FebruaryNorthern Ireland: 16, 17, 23 and 24 February
GMB members in the South West, South East Coast, North West, South Central, North East, East Midlands and Yorkshire are striking on 6 and 20 February, and 6 and 20 March. GMB members in the South West, South East Coast, North West, South Central, North East, East Midlands and Yorkshire are striking on 20 February, and 6 and 20 March.
GMB ambulance staff in Wales called off their planned 6 February strike after receiving an improved pay offer. GMB ambulance staff in Wales called off their 6 February strike after an improved pay offer.
Unison members in London, Yorkshire, the South West, North East and North West are striking on 10 February.Unison members in London, Yorkshire, the South West, North East and North West are striking on 10 February.
PhysiotherapistsPhysiotherapists
Up to 4,200 members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) are striking at 33 health trusts across England on 9 February.Up to 4,200 members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) are striking at 33 health trusts across England on 9 February.
The union represents three-quarters of the 30,000 physios and support staff in the NHS in England.The union represents three-quarters of the 30,000 physios and support staff in the NHS in England.
Staff across all health boards in Wales will strike on 7 February. Staff across all health boards in Wales are striking on 7 February.
CSP members in Scotland have accepted an improved pay offer, but the union has warned further strikes in England and Wales are likely. CSP members in Scotland accepted an improved pay offer, but the union warned further strikes in England and Wales are likely.
Physiotherapists, 'the quiet NHS miracle workers', walk outPhysiotherapists, 'the quiet NHS miracle workers', walk out
MidwivesMidwives
Members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales are striking on 7 February.Members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) in Wales are striking on 7 February.
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 should 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.
Services such as chemotherapy, kidney dialysis and intensive care will be staffed, as part of emergency cover.Services such as chemotherapy, kidney dialysis and intensive care will be staffed, as part of emergency cover.
The biggest disruption is likely to be in pre-booked treatment such as hernia repair, hip replacements or outpatient clinics.The biggest disruption is likely to be in pre-booked treatment such as hernia repair, hip replacements or outpatient clinics.
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 sent an ambulanceThe most life-threatening situations - such as cardiac arrest - will be sent 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 fall, or suffer other non-life-threatening injuries are unlikely to receive 999 care.Those who 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?
PhysiotherapistsPhysiotherapists
Emergency care will be available.Emergency care will be available.
Staff will advise hospital inpatients about any impact on their care. Staff will advise hospital inpatients about any impact.
Outpatients should attend appointments as planned, unless they have been asked to reschedule.Outpatients should attend appointments as planned, unless they have been asked to reschedule.
MidwivesMidwives
The RCM says the action will not affect services for women in labour or emergency care.The RCM says the action will not affect services for women in labour or emergency care.
What do unions want?What do unions want?
The RCN is calling for a 19% pay rise, although it has indicated it may meet the government "halfway". The RCN wants a 19% pay rise, although it has indicated it may meet the government "halfway".
Unions representing ambulance workers and physiotherapists also want above-inflation pay rises, but have not specified a figure.Unions representing ambulance workers and physiotherapists also want above-inflation pay rises, but have not specified 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 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 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 would no longer work with the NHS Pay Review Body regarding the 2023-24 pay deal.Fourteen health unions, representing more than a million NHS workers in England, said they would no longer work with the NHS Pay Review Body regarding the 2023-24 pay deal.
Meanwhile, MPs on the House of Commons' Health and Social Care Committee have been told the Department of Health and Social Care missed the deadline for submitting evidence about the next pay deal. The Treasury has submitted evidence. MPs on the House of Commons' Health and Social Care Committee were told the Department of Health and Social Care missed the deadline for submitting evidence about the next pay deal. The Treasury has submitted evidence.
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?
How much are physios paid?How much are physios paid?
NHS physios are on the standard NHS contract that applies to all staff bar doctors and dentists.NHS physios are on the standard NHS contract that applies to all staff bar doctors and dentists.
Starting salaries for physios are just above £27,000 in England. The most experienced physios can earn more than twice that in the NHS, although many combine NHS commitments with private work.Starting salaries for physios are just above £27,000 in England. The most experienced physios can earn more than twice that in the NHS, although many combine NHS commitments with private work.
Will other NHS staff strike?Will other NHS staff strike?
The British Medical Association (BMA) opened a strike ballot for junior doctors on 9 January, which runs until 20 February.The British Medical Association (BMA) opened a strike ballot for junior doctors on 9 January, which runs 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.