RCN raises possibility of industrial action over pay and staffing issues

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned the government that staff may be willing to take industrial action if ongoing concerns about staffing and pay levels are not addressed.

More than 52,000 RCN members working in the NHS have taken part in a poll showing that 91 percent of members would be willing take industrial action short of a strike, while 78 per cent are ready to go ahead with the first strike in RCN history.

The government's approach to NHS pay is one of the key reasons for this discontent, with the RCN arguing that current conditions are driving people out of the profession and dissuading new applicants.

This is exacerbating the ongoing nursing skills shortage, with figures from the college showing there are approximately 40,000 unfilled nurse posts in England, with 12,000 more healthcare support worker vacancies.

Separate research from across the UK indicates that four in five NHS nursing directors are worried that hospitals are relying on the goodwill of staff to keep services running.

RCN council chair Michael Brown said: "Getting 52,000 NHS members taking part shows the strength of feeling about pay restraint – and the percentage in favour of taking action cannot be ignored."

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