The Chief Executive of Nottingham’s hospitals said Thursday’s nurses’ strike will “undoubtedly” have an impact on the trust’s services to patients.
Nurses across the country are striking on the first of two 12-hour strikes on a historic day of industrial action.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is asking for a 19 per cent pay rise, five per cent above inflation, something the Government says is not affordable.
Nurses stood on the picket line at the Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital on December 15 as the industrial action took place from 8 am to 8 pm.
Another day of strikes will take place next Tuesday, December 20.
Anthony May, Chief Executive of Nottingham University Hospitals Trust said: “We’ve been planning for the strike for several weeks because it was a prospect even before the outcome of the ballot. All of our plans have come to fruition today.
“We have been working really hard with the RCN to keep our emergency services going.
“There’s undoubtedly going to be an impact across the trust, I don’t know what that is yet but we will mitigate as much as we can.
“We can use what happens today to learn because there is potential industrial action next week.
• Nurses’ Strike: Picket lines in Nottingham for first ever national strike action
“What I’ve seen from my messages is that things are calm and our plans are working.
“At the moment we’re absolutely focused on plans for today.
“It’s too soon to evaluate the impact from today on individual patients and services.”
He added that the doors are open and people should continue to use the hospital, particularly if they have an emergency.
Sherwood Forest Hospitals staff did not take part in the strikes.
@westbridgfordwirenews Nurses were out on picket lines across Nottingham today 15 December as the first strikes take place. Picket lines are planned for Nottingham’s QMC, City Hospital and ICB headquarters. At QMC this morning the first union members were out in freezing weather to support the action. Passing vehicles lent their support by sounding their car horns. The action today and on the 20 December affects NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The union said: ‘The first phase of strike action is taking place on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 20 December after the UK government turned down our offer of formal, detailed negotiations as an alternative to strikes. ‘ Full story and pictures at the link in our bio #rcn #fairpayfornursing #nursesstrike #nottingham #notts #nottinghamshire #uknews #nottinghamshire #nurse #nurses #nursesoftiktok #nursestudent #nurseslife #bbcnews #foryoupage #fyp #strike #picket #picketline #uknurses🇬🇧 #uknursetiktok ♬ original sound – West Bridgford Wire News
