Support nursing staff who are threatening to go on strike

There is no doubt about the vital role the NHS plays in all our lives.

It is hard to imagine life without this bedrock of our nation to care for us when we are at our most vulnerable.

Nursing staff make up more than half of the NHS workforce, but they’ve been pushed beyond their limits.

Patient care is at risk.

There are a record number of nursing vacancies, and 25,000 nurses left the profession last year alone in the UK.

At the end of June, NHS figures show 11,185 nursing vacancies across London, the highest in England.

For the first time in our history, Royal College of Nursing members working for the NHS in every part of the UK are considering strike action.

Patients are our priority – and we must advocate for them.

This year is worse than ever, and the UK Government has no plan to improve things.

Our members tell us that care given to patients is regularly compromised because there were not enough nursing staff.

Patients deserve better. They deserve safe and effective care. They deserve dignity.

They should not have to fear that when they need them, nursing staff won’t be there.

Without fair pay, we will never solve the problem of staffing shortages.

I will be urging our members to use their voice and vote for change.

On behalf of the nursing profession, I ask you to support nursing staff as we take these steps to protect nursing and protect patients.

To add your name to our petition, go to: bit.ly/ProtectNursing.

 

Jim Blair
Learning Disability Nurse and Board Chairman of RCN London