The RCN has announced its members will take continuous strike action on Sunday 30 April to Monday 1 May 2023 (which is a Bank Holiday) for 28 hours and many of our nurses at Newcastle Hospitals are taking part.
This phase of strike action will be different and challenging because it will take place over consecutive days and nights and the strike will run round-the-clock from 8pm on the evening of Sunday 30 April until midnight on Monday 1 May.
The RCN has confirmed that this strike will involve nursing staff working in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer care and other services that were previously exempt.
This means there is likely to be a significant impact on our services at Newcastle Hospitals. For patients, services may feel a little bit different – for example it could include longer waits, deferred treatment, and in some cases the consolidation of services (so where there are two services in an area, only one may be open).
On these days – and to maintain patient safety – we will prioritise emergency treatment and patients seeking urgent treatment will be seen. Unfortunately this means we will have to reschedule some routine appointments and procedures and we will be contacting patients directly to let them know.
We appreciate that this will be frustrating, however, it is essential that we reschedule to allow emergency care to continue to be available. All appointments will be re-arranged as a priority.
We will continue to update this webpage and also share information on social media in the run-up and during this period of industrial action.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening?
Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over the 2022/2023 pay award and conditions. A number of the unions have balloted their NHS members to take part in industrial action. As a result members of the RCN have been on strike on certain days from December.
Further continuous strike action is expected to take place from 8pm on Sunday 30 April to midnight on Monday 1 May and will include many nurses from Newcastle Hospitals.
The NHS wants to see a resolution as soon as possible, but pay is a matter for the Government and the trade unions.
What if I need urgent or emergency care?
Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or attending A&E.
However we are asking patients to choose services appropriately during industrial action and to take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and only using 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
What if I have an appointment on strike days?
Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless we have contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal. If your appointment has been postponed and you were due to come into hospital using patient transport ambulance services, please let them know.
Will emergency care be affected on strike days?
Emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country but we will be busy and you may experience longer waits in the emergency department for example. It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk patients continue to come forward as normal.
What if I need medical help or advice on strike days?
If you need medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital, go to NHS 111 online unless it is a life-threatening emergency when you should still call 999.
Patients should take advice from 111 / 999 call-handlers on whether there are circumstances where it is suitable for them to make their own way to hospital. During strike days, it is likely 999 call handlers will be very busy. NHS 111 call centres will have fewer staff, with longer call response times expected across the system. As a result, we are urging anyone with non-urgent care need to first seek help from NHS 111 online.
The NHS is also asking the public to play their part by taking simple steps during industrial action to look after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
I have a loved one who will be a hospital inpatient during the strike – how will their care be affected?
We are putting plans in place across Newcastle Hospitals. All hospital inpatients will be informed of how their care will / may be impacted on a ward-by-ward basis by the staff involved in delivering their care.
Will GP services be affected on strike days?
GP services will be running as normal on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments.
When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?
We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a letter or phone call, and you should be offered an alternative date for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.
Is there anything I should do now?
No. We will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.
Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?
No, if we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. If you are not sure if your appointment is going ahead, please contact the clinic / department in your letter.
How long will services be impacted?
This is a continuous 28-hour strike which means industrial action will start at 8pm on Sunday 30 April and last until midnight on Monday 1 May. This will be over day and night.
