Some 100,000 members of the public, nursing staff and patients have signed a letter urging the Prime Minister to raise nurses’ wages that was delivered to Downing Street this morning.
The Royal College of Nursing, who organised the letter (which is printed in full at the end of this article), is warning Rishi Sunak on his 100th day in office that the NHS is “deteriorating rapidly” on his watch.
In a major escalation, nurses are planning to walk out next Monday and Tuesday at a bigger number of hospitals than previous action.
The NHS will see strikes take place everyday next week except for Wednesday with ambulance workers, nurses, physiotherapists and midwives in Wales to walk out.
February 6 (Monday) marks the first time paramedics and nurses will down tools on the same day.
The RCN said the NHS has far from improved during the Prime Minister’s first 100 days in the job.
Fresh analysis by the union today reveals over 10,000 more patients a month are regularly waiting more than 12 hours for treatment in A&E since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister.
Likewise, nearly 400 extra patients on average each day have been stuck in hospital, unable to access the care they need in the community, under Mr Sunak’s tenure.
Nurse practitioner and RCN member Carmel O'Boyle said: “In the 100 days that Rishi Sunak has been Prime Minister, I’ve treated well over a thousand patients. I’ve done dressings, analysed X-rays, given injections and shots, fished glass and dirt out of wounds after a patient has had a fall, treated infections and managed medications.
“I’ve dealt with aggressive patients, people having a mental health crisis and patients with complex learning disabilities who present challenging behaviour. I’ve devised countless diagnosis and treatment plans after a full examination of each patient. I’ve had to impart bad news, and sometimes happier news.
"That’s what I’ve done for the NHS and my patients in the last 100 days in a team that is always short-staffed – what has the Prime Minister done to solve the crisis we’re in?”
RCN Director for England Patricia Marquis said: “Since he took office, the Prime Minister has failed to deliver on his promises to the NHS and is letting it deteriorate rapidly.
“More people are waiting in A&E, more patients are stuck in hospitals unable to access the care at home they need, and bed occupancy rates remain at dangerous levels. People are also having to wait longer to access mental health services when demand has never been greater.
“Patients are not dying because nurses are striking. Nurses are striking because patients are dying.
“Our members have a mandate to take strike action for another 100 days – and the Prime Minister would do well to see these strikes for what they are: a warning of the need for swift action.
“The Prime Minister is letting down the nation’s health, millions of patients, and ultimately the economy. An ill and untreated population cannot work and contribute to the economic recovery that everybody wants to see.”
The RCN’s full letter, signed by 100,000 members of the public, nurses and patients:
Prime Minister,
The NHS is the bedrock of modern Britain. And it is crumbling.
Nursing staff make up more than half of the NHS workforce, and they are pushed beyond their limits. Care is not safe and the public pays the price.
For the first time in our history, Royal College of Nursing members in every part of the UK are considering industrial strike action. Our patients are our priority – and we will advocate for them.
Over six million people are waiting for care.
Patients are stuck in the back of queuing ambulances.
All because we do not have enough staff.
This year is worse than ever. Our members told us about the last shift they worked – 8 in 10 said the care given to patients was compromised because there were not enough nursing staff on shift.
Unfair pay is forcing too many to leave. Over 25,000 nurses left last year alone.
Without nursing staff, there will be no NHS.
Patients deserve better. They deserve safe and effective care. They deserve dignity.
They should not have to fear in their lowest moments that their nurse won’t be there.
On behalf of the nursing profession, I implore you to see sense. Protect nursing to protect the public.
Nursing staff will always speak up for patients – when will you speak up for us, and the people we care for?
Sincerely,
Pat Cullen
RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive
