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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?
(about 20 hours later)
Some NHS nurses and ambulance staff are striking over pay in the run-up to Christmas.Some NHS nurses and ambulance staff are striking over pay in the run-up to Christmas.
The dispute between the government and NHS unions is over pay. Further industrial action is expected in the new year.
When are NHS staff striking?When are NHS staff striking?
NursesNurses
Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) took strike action for a second time on 20 December, having already walked out on 15 December. The union has warned of further strikes in the new year. Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) took strike action for a second time on 20 December, having previously walked out on 15 December. The union has warned of more strikes in the new year.
About a quarter of hospitals and community teams in England have been affected along with all health boards in Northern Ireland, and all but one in Wales. Turnout in the vote for industrial action was too low in nearly half of NHS trusts in England for strikes to go ahead. Nurses are not striking in Scotland while a pay offer is considered. About a quarter of hospitals and community teams in England were affected, along with all health boards in Northern Ireland, and all but one in Wales. Turnout in the vote for industrial action was too low in nearly half of NHS trusts in England for strikes to go ahead.
The RCN in Scotland has said it will announce strike dates early next year after members rejected a pay deal which would have seen the average salary rise by 7.5%.
Royal College of Midwives (RCM) members in Scotland also rejected the deal, and the union says it is considering possible industrial action.
Ambulance staffAmbulance staff
Some workers in England and Wales are striking on 21 and 28 December.Some workers in England and Wales are striking on 21 and 28 December.
The action will involve paramedics, control room staff and support workers. The action involves paramedics, control room staff and support workers.
The three main ambulance unions - Unison, GMB and Unite - will take part in the first strike. GMB union members will strike again on 28 December. Members of the three main ambulance unions - Unison, GMB and Unite - are taking part in the first strike. GMB union members will strike again on 28 December.
The start times and lengths of the walkouts vary between ambulance services, but all will last between 12 and 24 hours. The East of England will be the only service unaffected. The start times and lengths of the walkouts vary between ambulance services, but all will last between 12 and 24 hours. The East of England is the only service unaffected.
Blame game escalates over ambulance strike
Hospitals told to free up beds for ambulance strikeHospitals told to free up beds for ambulance strike
Watch Make Sense of Strikes on iPlayer and find out more about why people are striking and whether industrial action works.Watch Make Sense of Strikes on iPlayer and find out more about why people are striking and whether industrial action works.
What do the NHS strikes mean for patients?What do the NHS 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.
Other services, such as some cancer treatments, may be partially staffed.Other services, such as some cancer treatments, may be partially staffed.
Routine care, such as knee and hip replacements, is likely to be badly affected.Routine care, such as knee and hip replacements, is likely to be badly affected.
It is possible that nurses could be pulled off picket lines to work if there are safety concerns.It is possible that nurses could be pulled off picket lines to work if there are safety concerns.
Ambulance staffAmbulance staff
The advice remains for people to call 999 in an emergency.The advice remains for people to call 999 in an emergency.
All Category 1 calls - the most life-threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest - will be responded to by an ambulance.All Category 1 calls - the most life-threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest - will be responded to by an ambulance.
Category 2 calls - for conditions which are serious but not immediately life-threatening, including some strokes - might not be immediately attended to by emergency teams.Category 2 calls - for conditions which are serious but not immediately life-threatening, including some strokes - might not be immediately attended to by emergency teams.
Category 3 calls - such as a woman in late-stage labour - will not be prioritised.Category 3 calls - such as a woman in late-stage labour - will not be prioritised.
Those who have a fall, or suffer other minor injuries which are not perceived to be life-threatening, are unlikely to receive 999 care.Those who have a fall, or suffer other minor injuries which are not perceived to be life-threatening, are unlikely to receive 999 care.
In such situations, some NHS trusts are urging people to use their own transport to get to hospital or take a taxi.In such situations, some NHS trusts are urging people to use their own transport to get to hospital or take a taxi.
About 600 members of the armed forces are due to take on ambulance driving roles, and 150 personnel will provide logistical support.About 600 members of the armed forces are due to take on ambulance driving roles, and 150 personnel will provide logistical support.
What calls will ambulances answer on strike day?What calls will ambulances answer on strike day?
Watch this video quiz to test your knowledge of nurses' payWatch this video quiz to test your knowledge of nurses' pay
Watch this video quiz to test your knowledge of nurses' payWatch this video quiz to test your knowledge of nurses' pay
Why are nurses and ambulance staff striking?Why are nurses and ambulance staff striking?
NursesNurses
The Royal College of Nurses (RCN) says its members should have a 19% pay rise.The Royal College of Nurses (RCN) says its members should have a 19% pay rise.
The government says this is unaffordable and no pay rise close to that has been offered:The government says this is unaffordable and no pay rise close to that has been offered:
NHS staff in England and Wales - including nurses - have already been given 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 been given 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% for NHS staff has been accepted by some unions. Others, including the RCN, are still considering it In Scotland, a pay offer averaging 7.5% for NHS staff has been accepted by some unions, but rejected by RCN and RCM members
The RCN says average pay for nurses has already fallen by 6% between 2011 and 2021, once inflation is taken into account.The RCN says average pay for nurses has already fallen by 6% between 2011 and 2021, once inflation is taken into account.
The union says it will set a 48-hour deadline after the strike ends for the government to discuss pay. The union said it would set a 48-hour deadline after the strike ends for the government to discuss pay.
If not, more action will be announced for the new year. The RCN has about 300,000 members - roughly two-thirds of NHS nurses. Without any deal, more action will be announced for the new year. The RCN has about 300,000 members - roughly two-thirds of NHS nurses.
Does the average nurse earn £34,000 a year?
Would every 1% rise to nurses' pay cost £700m?
Ambulance staffAmbulance staff
They also want above-inflation pay rises, but have not set a specific figure.They also want above-inflation pay rises, but have not set a specific figure.
Unions argue that any offer needs to he high enough to prevent an ambulance staff recruitment crisis. In Scotland, two unions have already accepted an improved pay offer of 7.5%. Unions argue that any offer needs to be high enough to prevent an ambulance staff recruitment crisis. In Scotland, two unions have already accepted an improved pay offer of 7.5%.
The UK government, however, says pay rises for ambulance workers and nurses were decided by independent pay review bodies.The UK government, however, says pay rises for ambulance workers and nurses were decided by independent pay review bodies.
Are pay review bodies completely independent?Are pay review bodies completely independent?
What's the gap between public and private sector pay?
Would pay demands cost an extra £28bn?
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.
Under the contract, staff are entitled to in-the-job increases within their pay band.Under the contract, staff 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.
Specialist nurses can make up to £47,000.Specialist nurses can make up to £47,000.
The most senior nurse consultants can earn up to nearly £55,000.The most senior nurse consultants can earn up to nearly £55,000.
What's the gap between public and private sector pay?
Would pay demands cost an extra £28bn?