It’s now understood that the RCN is set to end exemptions that helped safeguard cancer care.
The union told NHS leaders on Friday it is preparing to ask its members working in emergency departments, intensive care units and oncology to join the next set of strikes. It will make a limited set of provisions for the most urgent clinical situations as part of a legal obligation not to endanger life. But NHS Providers has warned the impact could be unprecedented.
Ms Cordery said: “A continuous 48-hour strike that includes staff from emergency departments, intensive care units and cancer care services would likely have the biggest impact on patients we’ve seen.”RCN general secretary, Pat Cullen, wrote to Rishi Sunak with a direct appeal for talks but a week later the Prime Minister has not replied and there has been no contact between the union and the Department of Health and Social Care.
While strikes tend to lead to a surge in demands for NHS care in the days that follow, NHS staff so far remain determined to continue backing walkouts – and the scale of support is reportedly growing.
AlannahFrancis1 Bigger than the 2 years of lockdowns and the perpetual TikTok, et al dance challenges? 🤔
AlannahFrancis1 Bigger than the 2 years of lockdowns and the perpetual TikTok, et al dance challenges? 🤔