RUH confirms nurses strike will impact hospital
Nurses are due to walk out nationwide on two days this month
Nurses at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath will take part in nationwide strike action on December 15 and 20, it has been confirmed.
The hospital Trust says staff will walk out on both days as part of a national dispute between the government and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) over pay and working conditions.
Action on both days will last from 8am to 8pm or from the start of a day shift until the start of a night shift, depending on the service.
"Over the last few weeks we have been focusing on preparing for possible strike action," a statement from the RUH reads.
"We are committed to maintaining patient safety and are working to minimise disruption during this time."
Anyone who has an appointment booked at the hospital for either of those days is being told to still attend, unless told otherwise.
"We will be in touch with patients directly over the next few days if we need to rearrange an appointment," the Trust says.
The RCN first announced the strike dates on 30 November, saying the North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust would also be impacted.
Pat Cullen is RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive of the College.
“Ministers have declined my offer of formal pay negotiations and instead chosen strike action," she said at the time.
“We’re defending our profession and our patients.
"We’ve had enough of being taken for granted and being unable to provide the care patients deserve.
“Ministers still have the power and means to stop this by opening negotiations that address our serious concerns about patient safety and fair pay.”
Despite the strikes, the RUH says its emergency services will continue as normal.
Indeed the RCN says critical care units, intensive care and chemotherapy among other services will not be impacted.
“Every member of nursing staff feels a heavy weight of responsibility to make this strike safe," Ms Cullen said.
"Patients are already at great risk and we will not add to it."
We have asked both Bristol Trusts to confirm nurses are set to walk out there.