In the face of the threat of strike action lasting several years, cancer nurses begin to walk out in disgust.

 "In the face of the threat of strike action lasting several years, cancer nurses begin to walk out in disgust".

 In response to Steve Barclay's criticism of 'premature" May bank holiday protests, Union leader warns about ongoing industrial conflict.

 On Monday, as the president of the nurses' union warned that labour action may last for years, cancer nurses will begin their first strike. A national strike lasting 28 hours, that ends on Monday evening, is being carried out by members of the Royal College of Midwives in more than 100 hospitals. The health leaders warn that a third strike by the Union in 6 months will have an extremely serious impact on patients.

 The general secretary of the RCN, Pat Cullen, however, said in an interview last Sunday that strike action might take several years if the Government did not change its approach. At the last minute, the union agreed that more nurses were to be assigned to emergency departments and intensive care units. However, no exemption was granted to chemotherapy services and this will result in a strike by the staff on these wards for the 1st time in union history. The escalation of the strike is different from previous strikes by the RCN, in which cancer care was ensured.

 Steve Barclay, the Health Secretary, said the union’s strike was “premature” and “disrespectful” to other NHS unions.

 The move comes at a time when Ms Cullen is under considerable pressure to negotiate new terms of employment with her members, following their rejection of the Government's pay offer which she has suggested they accept. NHS sources suggested that, after last week's High Court case in which a judge found the RCN "incompetent" when it came to its calendar, senior leaders of the union regrouped.

 The Telegraph has been told by a senior nurse and a member of the Royal College of Nursing that nurses in the union are angry about the ordeal, because it could jeopardise their professional registration. Ms Cullen, in response to a question on the likelihood that strikes could be prolonged for years, answered: "If we go into next year's pay negotiations with our same attitude, do we only repeat this cycle?" 'Well, there may be a strong possibility because it looks like the only way that our nurses are able to have their voices heard is through this.'

The NHS England has announced that a number of national exemptions have been agreed with the RCN to ensure staff can protect life and limb services, including neonatal Intensive Care UnitsICU paediatrics and ICU emergency departments, hours prior to the strike starting on Sunday night.

 The UK's Chief Nurse, Professor Ruth May said: "we are pleased that the RCN has agreed a safety critical mitigation process and we shall be continuing to support all nurses, whether they work or take strike action." The return to normal levels of staffing does not arise from these mitigations. During this strike period, the industrial action will still have a very big impact on public services and patients are expected to experience further delays in medical treatment.

 The last-minute exemptions will be seen by many as an attempt to retain public support for the strikes. The Great Ormond Street Hospital issued a call for more nurses on Friday in order to keep sick children safe. Subsequently, additional personnel were agreed upon by the RCN.

Last week, Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust said staff had received “aggressive verbal abuse” when cancelling patient appointments due to the action.

Hospital leaders said the national agreements were a “positive step”. 

But Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers, added: “The situation remains extremely difficult, with a lasting disruptive impact that’s bad for patients, staff and the NHS.”

 Prof Pat Price, oncologist and co-founder of the CatchUpWithCancer campaign, said: “Whatever the rights or wrongs of the industrial action this will clearly have an impact on cancer patients, which is desperately sad for everyone.” According to the Teenage Cancer Trust, patients are advised to be ready for any cancellation of their appointments due to this action. This is according to data from the National Health Service, which shows that over two fifths of patients wait at least 62 days for their initial treatment under an urgent referral by a doctor.

CANCER PATIENTS OUTSIDE OF TARGET

 

Number of cancer patients starting treatment outside the 62-day target

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

0

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020

2022

 On Tuesday members of the National Health Service Staff Council, representing 14 trade unions, shall meet to confirm that their members have voted on a pay deal with the Government. This agreement includes a 5 % pay increase in 2023-24, plus an exceptional payment of up to £1,655 for 2022-23.

 The Staff Council, which works on an electoral college style of voting system, is expected to agree to accept the offer after the GMB union - which carries significant weight in the council - backed it. It means that, despite the vote against this deal, nurses are going to receive a pay agreement. Mr. Barclay said on Sunday's radio: 'I think the strike is premature and disrespectful to those trade unions that are going to be meeting next Tuesday.'

 He said that Ms Cullen had advised her own members about the arrangement, too. In addition, healthcare sources reported that if the RCN members received a one time pay packet with backdated increases and inflation fell at the same time, it would make it harder for Ms Cullen to organize any further strikes. The RCN announced that for the next six months of action, nurses will be redeployed.

 Initially, the RCN requested an increase of 19 %. It is through negotiation that this problem can be solved, and I call on the Minister of Education to resume formal discussions with a college about salaries in particular," she added. Nursing staff are looking for a fair settlement, showing the government's values and understanding of their profession. It seems to me that we're very far from it at the moment, but I have a reminder for ministers: This is all of their gift.

 Ms Cullen, speaking with the Independent, explained that hospital officials were offering nurses three times and a fourth of their regular hourly rates for work instead of marching on strike lines but employees regarded it as an insult. The RCN has already claimed that a separate set of wages for nurses should be established, contrary to the view expressed by other health unions.

 "Fair wages should be the bare minimum."

 Following their 96 hour strike at Easter, Mr Barclay is due to meet with the leaders of the junior doctors on Tuesday for the first round of negotiations. The British Medical Association announced on Sunday that it had encouraged its members to march in solidarity with nurses at the Royal College of Nursing picket lines.