Latest update on Nottinghamshire nurses and EMAS industrial action
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are one of several areas across the country hit by industrial action taken by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on December 15-20.
This action will be taken on employers who have reached the RCN voting threshold. Employers who have met the threshold in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire include:
- Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Due to the reduction in nursing staff in these organizations, scheduled surgeries and outpatient appointments are impacted. If you have not been contacted, please come to your appointment as scheduled. The NHS will be in touch if your appointment has to be rescheduled due to strike action.
Regardless of any strikes, it’s really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to call in as usual, especially in emergencies and life-threatening cases.
If the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support is available online through NHS111, at your nearest pharmacy or at emergency treatment centres.
For the latest information on each organization’s services, please visit:
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB
frequently asked Questions
What’s happening?
Unions representing NHS workers are at odds with the Government over 2022/23 wage allocation. A number of unions have called on their NHS members to take part in industrial action. As a result, members of the RCN are on strike on December 15th and 20th, members of the GMB, Unite and Unison (ambulance) are on strike on December 21st and members of the GMB (ambulance) are on strike on December 28th.
The NHS wants to see a solution as soon as possible, but pay is a matter for government and unions.
What if I need urgent or emergency care?
Anyone in need of urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and routed to the right care for them. If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is in danger, you should contact emergency care in the standard manner of calling 999 or going to the emergency room.
What will strikes mean for NHS services in my area?
Not every hospital and ambulance service will be affected by strikes. You can check which trusts are affected on the NHS England website.
What if I have an appointment on a strike day?
Anyone who has an appointment should attend as scheduled unless your local NHS provider has contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you please make your appointment even if your trust is affected by strikes.
Will emergency care be affected on strike days?
Emergency care will continue to be available in all parts of the country. It’s really important that patients in emergencies and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or their life is in danger – report as normal.
Will the GP service be affected on strike days?
On strike days, the family doctor service will take place as usual. Please continue to attend the agreed family doctor appointments.
When will I know if my appointment will be postponed?
The NHS will contact you if your appointment has to be postponed due to strikes. This is likely to be a letter or phone call and you should be offered an alternative time for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please come to your appointment as scheduled.
Is there anything I should do now?
No, the NHS will contact you if your appointment has to be rescheduled due to strikes.
Should I cancel my appointment on the day of the strike?
No, if we have not contacted you, please come to your appointment as scheduled.
What should I do if I need an ambulance?
On strike days, patients should only call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured and their life is in danger. Ambulances are dispatched when clinically appropriate.
For all other healthcare needs, support is available through NHS111 online, via the NHS 111 hotline or from your local GP or pharmacist.
What is an emergency?
Patients should only call 999 if they are seriously ill, injured, or in danger of death. Ambulances are dispatched when clinically appropriate.
How long will services be impacted?
The nurses’ strikes on December 15 and 20 lasted 12 hours and the ambulance strikes on December 21 and 28 lasted 24 hours. However, patients should be aware that it may take a little longer for the services to return to normal.
