Services across England experienced "exceptionally low" staffing as part of the biggest walkout yet over the bank holiday. But the health secretary Steve Barclay accused nurses of taking premature and disrespectful action, just hours before a meeting that could deliver salary increases for many.
Today, the NHS Staff Council, made up of health unions, employers and government representatives, will decide whether to accept a 5 per cent pay offer from ministers. The offer has been rejected by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Unite unions but accepted by a number of others.
Pat Cullen, leader of the RCN, denied support for strikes among her members would "crumble" if the pay rise goes ahead. "These are very determined people," she said. She told BBC Breakfast yesterday: "We can now see the NHS can't cope without nursing staff, that is abundantly clear."
This story is from the May 02, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 02, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Let e-scooters on our roads? As a cyclist, I'm all for it...
Transport secretary Louise Haigh is preparing to announce a plan to legalise electric scooters on Britain’s roads, as part of her wider integrated transport strategy.
Grandad vs YouTuber: is the Tyson-Paul fight for real?
Critics scream 'fix' ahead of tonight's big bout in Dallas
'Des was the gold standard'
A contender for the 'Match of the Day' job, Kelly Cates of Sky Sports tells Ross Heppenstall she's not looking to move but if the BBC calls there's one ex-host she'd love to emulate
Watkins gamble pays off to leave tricky Kane question
In the tale of the captain and the caretaker, Lee Carsley’s great gamble paid off.
Why I'm not mega excited about Reeves's pension play
The chancellor aims to free £80bn of investment by pooling funds. But are savers being overlooked in pursuit of growth?
Could Zelensky go nuclear if Trump cuts US support?
Two years ago, as the Russian army was retreating back from northeast Ukraine, there were serious worries that Vladimir Putin would use tactical nuclear weapons to block the Ukrainian advance.
Israel's forced displacement of Palestinians a 'war crime'
Israeli forces have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza through a \"systematic\" campaign of \"massive deliberate forced displacement\" of Palestinians, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said.
Fears for climate pledges as Argentina leaves Cop29
Right-wing leader orders delegation to quit Baku summit
Thousands in Spain unable to return home as deluge brings fresh risk of floods
Thousands of Spaniards evacuated ahead of a fresh deluge of rain have been told not to return home as swollen riverbanks threaten to overflow.
House pariah status landed.Gaetz attorney general nod
President-elect Donald Trump has lined up former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz to be his next attorney general.
