NHS nurses' strike - the Healthwatch response

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will take industrial action on 15 and 20 December across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Read our response.
A pregnant woman sits on a chair with a nurse by her side

Healthwatch England's national director Louise Ansari said: “The NHS is currently facing pressures across the whole system, with staff capacity shrinking when patients’ needs are increasing.

“At a time when a record number of people are waiting for hospital treatment, and many are yet to be diagnosed, the news of potential strikes will be concerning to patients and the wider public.

"And that is why we encourage all parties to find a way to ensure the care of patients is not adversely affected this winter. We ask health and care services to announce what contingency planning is in place and issue clear and timely communications to patients and service users about any change to their care, and to minimise potential delays to treatment.”

Have you been affected by the nurses' strike?

If so, tell us about your experience. Have you had your hospital appointment cancelled? Haver you bene told you have to wait even longer for a planned operation? 

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