UK Nurses strike action to see in 2023

Ministers have the power to stop strikes but have failed to open negotiations on NHS pay. Now, more hospitals in England will see strike action. These will take place on 18 and 19 January – with further dates to be confirmed in the new year. You can find the full list of employers where strike action is happening on these dates here. 

Two days of strike action were held in England, Northern Ireland and Wales on 15 and 20 December. Thousands of nursing staff took to picket lines to make their voices heard. Royal College of Nursing General Secretary Pat Cullen said: “The Government had the opportunity to end this dispute before Christmas but instead they have chosen to push nursing staff out into the cold again in January.” 

“I do not wish to prolong this dispute, but the Prime Minister has left us with no choice.” Pat, who has been visiting picket lines across the UK, said: “The public support has been heart-warming and I am more convinced than ever that this is the right thing to do for patients and the future of the NHS.” 

“The voice of nursing will not be ignored. Staff shortages and low pay make patient care unsafe – the sooner ministers come to the negotiating table, the sooner this can be resolved. I will not dig in, if they don’t dig in.” The Royal College of Nursing also have a range of campaigning resources which are available to the public.