London NHS trusts will see their staff strike this September as many feel patient care is ‘compromised and unsafe.’
NHS staffing is in crisis, according to a recent Unite survey. Earlier this year, more than 3000 Unite members in various NHS roles expressed worry over the welfare of patients and staff. The survey showed 48% of respondents saw staffing levels in their area at dangerous levels, and over half have considered leaving the NHS entirely.
Unite members also voted to reject the government’s pay deal, as ‘it amounted to yet another real terms pay cut’.
‘NHS employers must stop sweeping the staffing crisis under the carpet,’ said Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham. ‘Hospitals are so short of staff that patients are frequently being put at risk. Until the fundamental causes of low pay and impossible working conditions are resolved, the problem is only going get worse.’
This lack of safe staffing and adequate pay has resulted in industrial action due to take place this September.
The four trusts involved in the strikes will be Barts Health NHS Trust, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Trust, East London Foundation Trust, and Guys and St Thomas’. Overall, 2800 workers, including nurses, pathologists, cleaners, caterers, porters and ancillaries will be striking.
The strike dates are as follows:
- 13 September: all four trusts
- 14 September: Barts, Guys and St Thomas’, and Barking, Havering and Redbridge
- 16-22 September: Barts
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