You have made your mark in history. You have voted overwhelmingly to strike, for your patients, your profession and for the public. We have now entered a defining moment for nursing, and our fight will continue for as long as it takes to win justice for the profession and our patients.
Your voices have echoed across the length and breadth of the UK, with the resounding message that you will no longer be forced to compromise on the care you are able to deliver after years of below-inflation pay deals and a lack of workforce planning by governments.
Action can be taken in the NHS trusts or health boards that have met the relevant legal requirements. All NHS employers in Northern Ireland and Scotland will be included and all bar one in Wales met the relevant legal thresholds. Many of the biggest hospitals in England will see strike action.
You may have seen on the news today that I had a first meeting with England’s health secretary Steve Barclay. It was a cordial introduction and covered many topics. We now expect him to meet with us to really get down to business in discussing our pay ask and our strike mandate.
This pivotal campaign moment offers governments and NHS employers the opportunity to act now, to put in place measures to avoid the inevitable disruption strike action will cause.
You have made it crystal clear: you are mobilised and ready to demand better on pay, this year and for as long as it takes. Whilst the outcome of the ballot delivers a definitive message that we are ready to strike, the RCN’s door is open to further negotiations on pay.
In Scotland, the RCN Scotland board has formally rejected the revised NHS pay offer from the Scottish government. The board decided that the strength of feeling of members left them with no choice but to reject the offer on members’ behalf.
The updated offer represented yet another real-terms pay cut after a 16% real-terms cut over the last decade. It would also have seen experienced staff receiving a lower increase than the original 5% offer for the majority of staff. Board members had no doubt that this would not be acceptable to members in Scotland.
Ministers across the UK must listen carefully to what you are saying. The UK government is right now putting the final touches to its Budget, and this is an opportunity for decision makers to forge a new direction with investment and commitment.
I know many of you will be considering what the outcome of the strike ballot will mean for you, your colleagues and your patients.
While there are still many questions to be answered, I can promise you that industrial action will be safe. Patient safety will remain paramount throughout our planning, just as it has been during this campaign.
If your workplace is not able to proceed to strike action, whilst it may be disappointing, I urge you to harness the determination and positive energy you have demonstrated in recent months to continue campaigning on pay, supporting colleagues who will be on strike, all while remembering just how far we have come as a profession.
None of us want to take strike action but we have been forced into this position.
In other important news this week, to mark Remembrance Day, we take a moment to reflect on those affected by conflict, particularly those working in healthcare. Your Chair of Council and President laid a wreath on behalf of the College during a ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
An Extraordinary General Meeting will be held on 29 November for members to discuss and contribute to the transformational plan following the independent review by Bruce Carr KC into RCN culture.
Whether you attend in person or online, you can take part in a Q&A with me, your Chair of Council Carol Popplestone and your President, Dr Denise Chaffer. You can also submit a question in advance of the EGM.
A reminder that an independent and confidential help and support line is once more available to any members and staff who have been affected by issues related to the Carr Review: 0800 783 1157. The line is open every day of the week, 24 hours a day, managed by the Validium Group, with strict policies and procedures to ensure confidentiality.
If you wish to report anything of concern you have experienced whilst engaged in RCN activities or events, or any information related to the content of the report you can still do so: 0800 028 2511. Calls are handled by in confidence by Safecall which specialises in safe reporting systems.
The next few months will no doubt test us all in ways we never imagined, but I am confident that the time is now, and together, we are the right people to drive change, to forge a new path for nursing and to shape the future of our great profession.
