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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)
Some NHS nurses and ambulance staff went on strike in December over pay. Why are nurses and ambulance staff striking? Some NHS nurses and ambulance staff are set to take part in further strikes in January.
Further industrial action is expected in 2023. They are taking action over pay, which has not kept up with rising prices.
When are NHS staff striking?When are NHS staff striking?
NursesNurses
Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) took strike action on 15 and 20 December. The union has warned of more strikes in the new year. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced strike dates on 18 and 19 January. It says they will take place at more locations in England than previous strikes.
The RCN in Scotland is also expected to announce strike dates for early 2023. Its members rejected a pay deal which would have seen the average salary rise by 7.5%.The RCN in Scotland is also expected to announce strike dates for early 2023. Its 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.Royal College of Midwives (RCM) members in Scotland also rejected the deal.
Ambulance staffAmbulance staff
Some workers in England and Wales are striking on 28 December. The action, following a strike on 21 December, involves paramedics, control room staff and support workers. Some ambulance staff in England will stage two further strikes, on 11 and 23 January. Unison said the action would affect London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and South West.
Members of the three main ambulance unions - Unison, GMB and Unite - took part in the first strike. GMB members will take part in the second. A strike by GMB members on 28 December has been cancelled. Its members will now strike on 11 January instead.
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.
Warning of challenging days after ambulance strikeWarning of challenging days after ambulance strike
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.
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.
Nurses could be pulled off picket lines to work if there are safety concerns.Nurses could be pulled off picket lines to work if there are safety concerns.
Ambulance staffAmbulance staff
The advice remains to call 999 in an emergency.The advice remains to call 999 in an emergency.
Category 1 calls - the most life-threatening situations, such as cardiac arrest - will be responded to by an ambulanceCategory 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 attendedCategory 2 calls - for conditions which are serious but not immediately life-threatening, including some strokes - might not be immediately attended
Category 3 calls - such as a woman in late-stage labour - will not be prioritisedCategory 3 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. Some NHS trusts are urging people to use their own transport, or take a taxi to hospital.Those who have a fall, or suffer other non-life-threatening injuries are unlikely to receive 999 care. Some NHS trusts are urging people to use their own transport, or take a taxi to hospital.
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?
Why are staff striking?Why are staff striking?
NursesNurses
The Royal College of Nurses (RCN) is calling for a 19% pay rise.The Royal College of Nurses (RCN) is calling for a 19% pay rise.
The government says this is unaffordable:The government says this is unaffordable:
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, but rejected by RCN and RCM membersIn 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 said it would set a 48-hour deadline after the second strike for the government to discuss pay. Without any deal, there will be further strikes on 18 and 19 January. 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?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?
Ambulance staffAmbulance staff
They also want above-inflation pay rises, but have not announced a figure.They also want above-inflation pay rises, but have not announced a figure.
Unions argue that any offer needs to be high enough to prevent a recruitment crisis. In Scotland, two unions have accepted an improved pay offer of 7.5%.Unions argue that any offer needs to be high enough to prevent a recruitment crisis. In Scotland, two unions have accepted an improved pay offer of 7.5%.
The UK government says pay rises for ambulance workers and nurses were decided by independent pay review bodies.The UK government 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?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 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.
How much are ambulance workers paid?How much are ambulance workers paid?
The average earnings for ambulance staff in England were £46,643, figures from NHS Digital for April 2021 to March 2022 show.The average earnings for ambulance staff in England were £46,643, figures from NHS Digital for April 2021 to March 2022 show.
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 - had average pay of £29,139, of which £7,842 came from extra payments.Workers classed as support staff - such as ambulance technicians and non-emergency ambulance drivers - had average pay of £29,139, of which £7,842 came from extra payments.