Industrial Action 2022

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Industrial action in England

The Royal College of Nursing has confirmed that it plans to take strike action on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 20 December. The strikes will happen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at the NHS trusts or health boards that have met the relevant legal requirements.

In addition, trade unions representing staff in the ambulance service have announced their first strike action dates for December 2022. UNISON, Unite and the GMB have confirmed that members will take part in strike action on Wednesday 21 December 2022. GMB members will take part in an additional strike day on Wednesday 28 December 2022.

How are Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes impacted?

In the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust and South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, one of the ambulance services covering this area, will be affected by strike action. East of England Ambulance Service, the other ambulance service covering this area, is not striking.

Advice for patients and the public

Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

If the NHS has not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.

GP services are not impacted by this strike action. Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is happening?

    Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over the 2022/23 pay award. A number of the unions have balloted their NHS members to take part in industrial action. As a result members of the RCN are striking on the 15 and 20 December, and members of the GMB, Unite and Unison (ambulance staff) are striking on 21 December and members of GMB (ambulance staff) are striking on the 28 December.

    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 have an appointment on a strike day?

    Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless your local NHS provider has contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment even if your Trust is affected by strikes.  

  • Will emergency care be affected on strike days?

    Emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country. 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.

  • 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?

    The NHS 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, the NHS 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 the NHS has not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.

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