RCN launches ‘summer of action’ in protest against below-inflation NHS pay award
With inflation, the 3% award is a real-terms pay cut and leaves experienced nursing staff £200 a year worse off
Events will be held across the UK as the RCN prepares to consult members on next steps, after dissatisfaction with the Government's offer of a 3% pay rise.
The Government announced the NHS pay award for England in July after months of delays. However, with inflation, the 3% award is a real-terms pay cut and leaves experienced nursing staff £200 a year worse off, the RCN says.
Additionally, the government has since admitted that the money would be found from existing budgets, further upsetting the nursing profession as this funding will already be committed for patient care.
‘We know this award will not be enough to prevent an exodus of exhausted NHS nursing staff and ministers must now be honest about the impact this would have on patient care,’ said RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen.
‘The government is failing to give the NHS the money it truly needs. This current game of smoke and mirrors is dangerous for patients and nursing staff who care for them. If ministers ignore the voice of nursing, they ignore the voice of patients – and that is something we, as nurses, will never allow.’
Events include a demo in Hove, a candlelit vigil in Norfolk, a virtual rally and a campaign van travelling through Wales. The summer of action will culminate with a protest in Liverpool at the RCN's annual national Congress in September. The ‘summer of action’ is launched as a new poll shows a majority (51%) of the public think the 3% pay rise is too little and 62% say there are too few nurses to provide safe care.
‘Our campaign continues and I need you – all of you – to get involved. This is your opportunity to stand up for your profession and for patients by using your voice this summer,’ said Graham Revie, Chair of the RCN Trade Union Committee.
Pregnant women encouraged to get their COVID-19 vaccine
Health chiefs are strongly encouraging more pregnant women to get their COVID-19 vaccine, as new data shows that only 51 724 pregnant women in England have received at least one dose, leaving many unprotected.
Dr Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: ‘We are encouraged to see more than 50 000 pregnant women in England have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. We recommend vaccination in pregnancy as it's the most effective way of protecting women and their babies from severe illness and premature birth.’
Women who are planning pregnancy, who are in the immediate postpartum period, or who are breastfeeding can be vaccinated with any vaccine, depending on their age and clinical risk group. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are recommended for pregnant women in the UK because these vaccines have been given to over 130000 pregnant women in the US and the data has not raised any safety concerns.
Though uncommon, severe illness due to COVID-19 is more likely in later pregnancy.
Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: ‘We are seeing increasing numbers of pregnant women being admitted to hospital with serious illness, almost all of whom are unvaccinated. Pregnant women are at greater risk of serious illness if they get COVID-19, and those with severe COVID-19 are twice as likely to experience a stillbirth and 3 times as likely to have a preterm baby. Getting the vaccine is the best way to keep you and your baby safe.’
Warnings issued as respiratory infections rise ahead of winter
Parents are being advised to be aware of the signs of respiratory illnesses in young children, as data from Public Health England show that respiratory infections, such as colds and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), usually seen in winter, are on the rise.
Cases of respiratory infections were low last winter, as restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 stopped children from mixing as much as usual. This means many will not have developed immunity and so there may be more cases this year than in a typical season. For most children, these illnesses will not be serious and they will soon recover following rest and plenty of fluids.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at PHE, said: ‘This winter, we expect levels of common seasonal illnesses such as cold and flu to increase as people mix more and given that fewer people will have built up natural immunity during the pandemic.’
RSV is a very common virus and almost all children are infected with it by the time they are 2 years old. In older children and adults, RSV may cause a cough or cold.
However, some children under 2, especially those born prematurely or with a heart condition, can suffer more serious effects from these common infections such as bronchiolitis, an inflammatory infection of the lower airways – which can make it hard to breathe.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has reported pressures on emergency departments from an increase in children being brought in with mild fever by anxious parents. Many parents have not seen fever in their child – particularly if they were born during lockdown – and are taking them to A&E rather than seeking help at pharmacies, their GP, NHS 111 or online.
Dr Camilla Kingdon, President of the RCPCH, said: ‘Many emergency departments are currently overwhelmed and there has been a particularly steep rise in the number of young children presenting. Some have seen the highest ever numbers of children in their department and waiting times can be huge.’
NHS England began planning for the potential rise in paediatric respiratory infections in April 2021, with paediatric units bringing forward their usual winter planning. Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said: ‘The NHS has detailed plans in place for a wide range of scenarios ahead of winter and will continue to adapt them as needed, in line with the guidance from PHE.’