The NHS has threatened legal action to block the second day of an upcoming nurses’ strike.
Health officials say the 48-hour strike, which starts at 8 p.m. April 30, is outside the six-month mandate of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
NHS employer officials wrote to RCN on Wednesday that the plans were illegal. But the union said it would “violently resist” attempts by employers to get a court order to block the strike, which it considers legal.
The RCN is building on the 1995 mining dispute to argue that the strike can legally be extended until midnight May 2. According to the letter seen Guardianagreed to go to court to challenge his case.
On April 14, the RCN members rejected the government’s salary offer, which included a 5 percent pay increase and a cash payment for the last year. The union also said it plans to hold a new strike vote to clear the way for strikes by Christmas.
The upcoming strike does not provide emergency care or cancer treatment, which were previously excluded.
NHS employers, who manage NHS union relations on behalf of the Minister for Health and Welfare, said they are in “ongoing dialogue” with the RCN on the matter.
Daniel Mortimer, CEO of NHS Employers, said: “The RCN vote for union action ended at noon on November 2, 2022, giving the union six months to take any action sanctioned by this vote.
NHS Employers have sent a letter to RCN outlining our opinion – on behalf of trusts in England and with clear legal advice – that the RCN mandate to strike expires at midnight on Monday 1st May. Therefore, we have asked the RCN to amend its policy for its members regarding all activities scheduled for Tuesday, May 2, 2023. We are in constant contact with RCN on this matter.”
NHS leaders urged RCN to rethink staffing for critical services during the upcoming strike.
In a new statement, the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS organizations, said mental health leaders are warning of “serious implications” for patient safety as the number of caregivers is “even less dispersed than usual”.
The NHS Confederation said the RCN’s current stance could mean that people could be a danger to themselves, “including through self-harm or, in extreme cases, suicide, and to others.”
The failure to staff the most urgent inpatient facilities, the failure to provide personnel for the assessment of the Mental Health Act, and the failure to care for people with serious mental illness living in the community “means that patients are at risk,” the report said.
There are also staffing issues for situations that change quickly, for example. B. when patients are under general supervision, but then quickly need individual psychiatric help. The mental health leader in the Northeast said it was “extremely disturbing” to note that no derogations had yet been agreed, adding: “I firmly believe that crisis and emergency mental health services should be excluded.”
Meanwhile, Downing Street said it does not currently plan to engage a third party to resolve a wage dispute with junior doctors following calls from the Royal Colleges Medical Academy.
A spokesman for the prime minister said: “This is not planned. First of all, the Minister of Health is ready to speak directly with the BMA. [British Medical Association]as soon as they break the strike.
“We have done this in all other discussions with unions and have been flagged by other unions. As the Minister of Health said earlier, we need to move away from the original position of 35 percent.”
Health inspectors strike
Hundreds of CQC workers will go on strike next month over a wage dispute, their union announced. Members of Unison, including those who work in inspection teams, call centers and data analysts, are leaving the company on May 2.
Since last week, CQC employees have been working regularly: they work only paid hours, do not work overtime, and take all the breaks they are entitled to. The dispute concerns a 2.75-3.5% pay raise and a lump sum payment of £100 or £150, depending on the pay scale.
CQC staff manage registered health and social services throughout England, including hospitals, nursing homes, general practitioners and dental offices.
Matthew Egan, National Officer at Unison, said: “CQC staff play an important role in ensuring the safe care of patients, nursing home residents and others in need of support. The fact that the CQC workers have decided to go on strike is significant. Employees are reluctant to take action, but many are struggling. Their wages could not keep up with the rising cost of living.
“CQC staff are critical to ensuring the safe care of registered health care providers and services. The government should recognize their contributions and allow employers to reward them appropriately to limit disruptions.”
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.