RCN nurses are set to strike across England’s largest hospitals, with 131 NHS trusts preparing for industrial action before the end of the year. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members have voted decisively in favour of strike action, signalling significant disruption to healthcare services.
Alongside England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are also experiencing confirmed strike action in multiple health organisations, reflecting a UK-wide challenge in the nursing sector.
In Sussex, several major NHS trusts have secured strike mandates, putting local healthcare services on high alert. The trusts involved include East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Pat Cullen, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the RCN, issued a strong statement addressing both striking nurses and the government: “I want to thank every member who took part and supported this ballot. The results are strong and clear. This is a defining moment in our history. Our fight will continue through strike action and beyond until we win justice for nurses and our patients.”
She added, “Our members are saying enough is enough. The voice of nursing is loud and will be heard. We won’t tolerate living on a financial knife-edge at home and getting a raw deal at work.”
“Ministers must ask themselves how long they will keep pushing nurses to breaking point. Next week’s budget is their chance to invest seriously and halt this crisis.”
“This strike is not just for nurses—it is for patients too. Standards are falling too low, and the public supports our campaign to raise them. This winter, we call on the public to stand with nursing staff.”
The strike ballot ran from 6 October to 2 November following NHS pay offers earlier this year that left experienced nurses 20% worse off in real terms compared to a decade ago. The RCN warns that this pay squeeze is pushing vital frontline staff to breaking point.
While detailed strike dates and plans are expected to be announced soon, the message from the RCN is clear: the nursing crisis has reached a critical point, and hospitals across the UK should prepare for significant impact on services.
Originally published by UKNIP.
