First pay strike by NHS staff in over 30 years as 400,000 walk-out as unions threaten more action

As the public has been urged to think twice about calling 999, 400,000 health workers go on a strike over pay for the first time in over 30 years.

17:09 13 October 2014

About 40,000 health workers took part in the first pay strike by NHS staff in more than 30 years this week. The walkout was due to the government’s decision to refuse to give them a one per cent pay rise.

Jane Cummings, NHS England’s Chief Nursing Officer, addressed NHS staff prior to the strike saying:  “They work very hard and put the safety of patients first. So I would say to staff, I know that you are professional. I know that you will think very carefully about any action you take.”

She added: “As a nurse, I know that Monday mornings are often extremely busy for the NHS and it may be busier than normal this Monday because of the strike.

“The safety of patients is our top priority and we have robust plans in place. If necessary, the most urgent cases will be put first and we would ask the public to help, for example, by only calling an ambulance if it is a life-threatening situation.”

Now it has been revealed that unions are planning more targeted strikes if their demands are not met.

Rachael Maskell, Head of Health at Unite, told the Guardian: 'We are already planning, and will definitely be taking, further industrial action if the Government doesn't put more money on the table and doesn't talk to us.

'There will definitely be more industrial action by NHS staff if Jeremy Hunt doesn't sit down and talk and make more money available.

'It's clear that the Government are going to have to find money (to settle) this (dispute).' 

However, some in government believe that that budget wouldn’t stretch that far with Health secretary Jeremy Hunt claiming that if pay rise proposals were met than more than 14,000 nurses would be let go by hospitals as a result.