In the greatest strike in NHS history, nurses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland began walking out at 8:00 AM on Thursday.
A disruption in normal surgery and other planned treatments is inevitable, although staff will still deliver certain urgent care and “life-preserving” measures.
Ministers’ refusal to resume compensation negotiations, according to the Royal College of Nursing, left personnel with no other option.
As a matter of fact, the RCN demanded a 19% salary increase, which the UK government deemed unaffordable.
Moreover, all health boards in Northern Ireland, all but one in Wales, and about a quarter of the hospitals and community teams in England participated in the strike activity.
Meanwhile, chemotherapy and kidney dialysis, as well as intensive and critical care, children’s accident and emergency, and hospital neonatal units, which look after newborn newborns, would continue to operate as usual.
Beyond that, it will be up to local NHS boards and trusts to bargain for services; as negotiations are likely to center on the circumstances of a few particular patients.
The treatment that is scheduled in advance, such as hernia surgery, hip replacements, or outpatient clinics, is likely to have the most impact.
Meanwhile, the NHS has stated that it is “essential” that people continue to seek emergency care throughout the strikes and that anyone who hasn’t been asked to reschedule an appointment should go to the appointment as scheduled.
Conclusion
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