Nurses ready for industrial action

Nurses are concerned about staff shortages

Many nurses are ready to consider industrial action if measures are not taken to improve pay and conditions, a poll suggests.

The survey by Nursing Times (NT) magazine found widespread discontent over pay and concern over severe staffing shortages.

On what would you be prepared to take industrial action?

Pay 61.06%

Staffing shortages 14.32%

Working conditions 7.97%

Violence towards staff 5.64%

Patient care 5.46%

Nothing 5.55%

Traditionally, nurses have opposed the idea of industrial action.

But in the new pool just one in 20 nurses were prepared to rule out such a course of action.

Three out of five said they would be prepared to take action over poor pay, while 14% said they would be prepared to do so over staffing shortages.

A senior nurse manager for an Essex trust, who wished to remain anonymous, told NT: "I would like to see a total walkout of nurses nationally.

"I work as a `modern matron', which is another term for a general dogsbody.

"I am unable to provide my staff with essential equipment because of a lack of finances and a lack of support from my manager.

"I often work late to support my ward staff. It is very frustrating."

Public sympathy not enough

If the public knew that it would lead to better staffing levels and a more efficient service, surely they'd back us?

Samantha Gilmore

Samantha Gilmore, an E-grade theatre nurse at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Sad as it may be, the time has come when we should consider some sort of industrial action.

"People say we shouldn't strike as we would lose public sympathy. Well, public sympathy doesn't pay the bills.

"If the public knew that it would lead to better staffing levels and a more efficient service, surely they'd back us?"

Anna Moran, a registered mental nurse who has worked for the NHS for 30 years, said: "It is with a heavy heart that I say we as nurses may now have to resort to industrial action not just for better pay but also for respect and service improvements."

NT editor Tricia Reid said: "The results of our poll show that nurses' willingness to put up with low pay and poor working conditions can no longer be taken for granted by the government."