Potential industrial action affecting NHS services

November 11, 2022

You will be aware from both local and national news that a number of Trade unions, representing NHS staff, have advised the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care that they are in dispute over the 2022/23 pay award. Several unions are balloting or have signalled their intention to ballot their NHS members to take part in industrial action.

The ballots of the individual Trade Unions bodies are currently taking place and the Trust are working closely with our union colleagues to ensure that communication is maintained throughout this process.

You will have seen that the RCN has announced that nursing staff at many NHS employers across the UK have voted to take strike action over pay levels and patient safety concerns. The results for each NHS employer are analysed individually in what is known as a ‘disaggregated’ ballot. Industrial. For the RCN ballot SWB did not meet the 50% response threshold which means that the RCN will not be in a position to take action at SWB.

As such as a Trust we are preparing for any potential industrial action to ensure that we are able to maintain safe patient care and emergency services can continue to operate as normal, whilst supporting and respecting our colleagues with their right to industrial action should this be the outcome of any ballot.

We will ensure that communication is maintained on an ongoing basis with the lead Trade Union representatives and that colleagues are updated of Trust plans. A frequently asked questions briefing is available by clicking here.