Welsh Government urged to ‘find a way forward’ on pay as nurses strike for second day

Nurses in Wales are striking for a second time today in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

A union leader has promised more action will be taken in the new year if no resolution is found.

Ambulance staff in Wales are also set to walk out on Wednesday with only life threatening illnesses or injuries expected to receive an emergency response.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Interim Chief Executive said: “The Royal College of Nursing industrial action that is due to take place again tomorrow and the Wales Ambulance Service action on Wednesday will limit our ability to respond even further.”

The Royal College of Nursing has called on the Welsh Government to make a “genuine commitment” to improving the current pay award and to meet with them to resolve the ongoing row.

Welsh ministers decided against a better pay offer for nurses to help protect NHS spending, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.

The Welsh government has decided not to offer a higher pay increase to nurses “in order to protect NHS spending.”

An independent pay panel this year recommended a pay rise of 4.5% but nurses are seeking a 19% increase.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Drakeford said: “It is simply the truth that the amount of money we get for public services and pay in Wales is a consequence of the decisions that English ministers make for England.”

Helen Whyley, Director of the Royal College of Nursing Wales, said: “NHS Wales pay is a Welsh Government decision. Health care services are devolved.”

“The First Minister has said in the past he believes in devolution because it allows Welsh solutions to Welsh problems. This is Mark Drakeford government’s opportunity to do just that.”

“I am calling on the Welsh Government to make a genuine commitment to improving the current pay award and to meet with the Royal College of Nursing to resolve this dispute.”

“The Welsh Government must find a way forward with or without additional funding from the UK Government.”

Ms Whyley said: “Nursing staff have endured years of real term pay cuts which has led to frightening levels of understaffing. ”

“This has a significant impact on patient care and why this dispute is about pay and safe nurse staffing levels.”

“The nursing workforce is fundamental to the provision of NHS services to the people of Wales.”

“Hospitals, beds, and equipment are nothing without qualified and skilled staff to care for patients.”

“As we approach the end of 2022 and a New Year it is bitterly disappointing that the Royal College of Nursing is being forced to consider announcing further strike dates.’”

“I urge the First Minister to respond to positively to my letter inviting talks.”

An “internal critical incident” has been declared at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board due to the “prolonged and significant demand” being placed on the region’s hospitals.

As a result all but the most urgent procedures in north Wales’ hospitals have been postponed.

It comes as winter pressures combined with an increase in winter viruses and Strep A concerns – along with scheduled industrial action from nurses and ambulance staff – has led to unprecedented demand.

Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation said: “Health leaders continue to urge the Welsh and UK Governments to enter into meaningful negotiations with trade unions, and for trade unions to ensure that their commitment to protect life and limb is deliverable in the face of the extreme pressures facing all parts of the health and social care system as winter pressures pile up.”

“Several Welsh hospitals, as well as the Welsh Ambulance Service, are today already experiencing unprecedented levels of pressure.”

“The NHS continues to discuss and agree with union representatives the specific critical services where arrangements will need to be in place during the ambulance strikes on 21 and 28 December.”

Mr Hughes said: “As part of this, health leaders are finalising plans to make sure that people requiring urgent and life-saving care are prioritised.”

“This includes working with local authority partners and families to see where patients can be discharged safely from hospital to free up beds.”

“This is so that patients in the most critical conditions can be more quickly offloaded from ambulances and then safely looked after in emergency departments. ”

“The arrangements will vary locally, and health leaders are committed to ensuring their communities understand any changes to their services. ”

“However, the public should expect ambulance services to be under severe pressure during industrial action.”

He said: “Ambulances are already seeing increased calls and demand and many are stuck outside emergency departments unable to go back out into the community before strike action begins.”

“Advice remains that people should continue to call 999 in immediately life-threatening emergencies and for more minor ailments, to use NHS 111 Wales online as a first port of call.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service has published a “what you need to know” explainer about the strike action.  

What is happening? 

Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over the 2022/23 pay award. A number of the unions have balloted their NHS members to take part in industrial action.

As a result, members of the RCN are striking on the 15 and 20 December, and members of the GMB are striking on 21 December and 28 December.

We respect the decision of Trade Union members to strike and are working closely with colleagues to ensure that the impact on our patients is kept to a minimum and that we can continue to provide a safe service to the most acutely unwell patients across Wales.

What does this mean for NHS services in my area?

While not every service will be affected across Wales, there will be a level of disruption in most areas so it’s important you check what the position is where you live.

For more information about how services are affected in your area, head to the website of your local health board or check their social media feeds.

At the Welsh Ambulance Service, we have, and will continue to work with RCN and GMB colleagues to agree “derogations”. This refers to the services that will continue to be maintained, albeit at a reduced level, on strike days. However, this is a complex process and patients should assume that our services will be significantly affected.

What if I need urgent or emergency care?

If you need urgent care, you should contact your own GP during normal opening hours. If you’re not sure what’s wrong or are unsure what to do next, go to NHS 111 Wales online, which has lots of healthcare advice and a range of symptom checkers that can help you work out the best steps to take.

During the industrial action, our 111 telephone service is also likely to be affected as many of our clinicians and call handlers may be members of striking unions. As a result, please only call 111 if it’s absolutely necessary.

When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or attending A&E.

During any strike action, emergency care is still a priority and emergency services will still be available. However, it is likely that only life threatening illnesses or injuries will receive an emergency response. Other patients are likely to be asked to make their own way to hospital.

What should I do if I need an ambulance?

On days where there is strike action, patients should call 999 only for very serious or life-threatening emergencies where there is a risk to life and an ambulance is the only appropriate choice.

By its nature, strike action means that fewer ambulance crews will be available. We will still respond to emergency calls, but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life.

What if I need to contact 111?

On strike days, there may be fewer clinicians available to triage patients as many of our NHS 111 Wales clinicians may be members of unions who are taking industrial action. This means that you may wait longer to be assessed and to receive a call back.

If your call is not urgent, please go to the NHS 111 Wales website for help and advice.

There, you’ll find symptom checkers and a host of health information, as well as information on the current advice on Strep A, including when to seek medical help.

What about non-emergency patient transport?

While our NEPTS service is also likely to be affected by the GMB action, at this stage we are still working through with our TU partners what will happen.

Any patient whose transport is affected by strike action will be contacted as soon as possible to let them know and to offer some advice on alternatives. In addition, we may not accept new bookings on days of action and refer you to alter your appointment with the health board.

We will also add information to our website and use social media to let you know about any changes to services.

What can I do to help keep WAST services running?

Please only call 999 in a serious or life-threatening emergency to keep our precious resources for those who need us most.

If you’re ill or injured, consider alternatives to 999 like your GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 Wales online or Minor Injuries Unit, and stock up on prescription medications and over the counter remedies to reduce the risk of you falling ill on strike days. Please also take extra care during the cold spell to avoid slips, trips and falls, and accidents on the road.

We know this is a very disruptive time for everyone and we thank you all for your help and support as we work hard to maintain services for those most in need of our life-saving care.