16 | Nursing in Practice | Winter 2022
COLUMNIST
‘ To my mind , nurses are not striking over pay , but over workforce shortages ’
The vote to strike was an historic moment for all nurses , but low pay , poor working conditions and high vacancy rates left them with little choice , argues Marilyn Eveleigh
Marilyn Eveleigh , nurse adviser and independent trainer in East Sussex
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When the RCN announced dates for strike action following failed dialogue with Government , it became clear that interesting times were ahead . Nurses are certainly not united in supporting a strike , but many of us concede it was a last resort .
Not all nurses can strike , as strict laws govern the process . Only those on Agenda for Change contracts who work in the 130 NHS trusts and health boards ( of 217 ) that secured a 50 % ballot response from their RCN members have a mandate to strike . That ’ s not many nurses , but their vote is a voice and a historic gesture for all of us . Of the 705,000 on the NMC Register , the majority ( 55 %) of nurses aren ’ t employed by the NHS , including practice nurses . Yet any NHS pay award achieved through strikes will set a new bar for pay scales , and will benefit all nurses wherever they work .
To my mind , nurses are not striking over pay , but over the workforce shortages that are an inevitable consequence of low pay . Remuneration was once a secondary factor , but 12 years of below-inflation pay awards have magnified its importance , especially for younger nurses with families . The decline in nursing numbers has impacted negatively on healthcare services , alongside the increase in patient numbers and demand . Over 20 years , governments have responded by dabbling in training , bursaries , overseas recruitment and long-term strategies , to no avail . There are almost 48,000 NHS nursing vacancies : we are in short supply . Recruitment and retention is dire despite government rhetoric . In the past year , 40,000 nurses have left the NHS – one in nine of the workforce – leaving more posts unfilled . Many were highly experienced nurses with years left to give , and many left community services , with 43 % citing retirement . At the same time , there were only 4,000 more nurse joiners than leavers in the past year ; insufficient to make an impact .
Scandalously , the 42 % of nurses paid on AfC Band 5 could be paid a higher hourly rate if they
Scandalously , the 42 % of nurses paid on AfC Band 5 could be paid a higher rate working in a supermarket
were supermarket workers or cleaners . Improving remuneration is a means to an end : it leads to a committed and buoyant workforce . Higher salaries will retain the experienced and aid recruitment . The additional nurses will alleviate burnout , stress and poor job satisfaction . The ability to provide good patient care with a good work-life balance would also support retention , helping address the huge NHS waiting list . And research shows healthy nurse-patient ratios improve safety and quality of care .
Nurses are highly skilled professionals , with years of training to degree level and further requirements for CPD and professional regulation to protect the public . That ’ s some status . According to a recent national annual survey , we are also considered the most trusted of all the professions . The public has indicated it would support a pay increase . Ministers say there is no extra money , yet eye-watering fees are consistently paid for agency nurses , where shortages do determine remuneration .
Strike action is not what nurses want : it ’ s almost sacrilege . We want to care for patients ; we just need more of us . Improving recruitment and retention through better pay is what this strike is about . Because nursing is the cornerstone of the NHS .