NURSES are England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be going on strike for two days next month in what is set to be the biggest walkout in NHS history.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced that strike action will take place on December 15 and 20 due to a pay dispute with the Government.
Nurses will still provide emergency care but routine services will be hit.
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This comes after the RCN announced it had been given ‘no choice’ after ministers would not reopen talks once the Government stated the 19 per cent pay rise demanded was 'unaffordable'.
Under trade union laws, the RCN has to ensure life-preserving care is provided during the strikes, which will last from 8am to 8pm on both days.
This is likely to mean some urgent cancer services, urgent tests and scans and ongoing care for vulnerable patients will be protected but concerns have been raised that the walkout will increase the backlog in non-urgent hospital treatment.
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This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.
Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland
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