Nurses across the region will partake in strike action.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) asked its members to vote on potential industrial action over pay levels and patient safety concerns.

And, in results announced last week, the union said the first period of strikes should be "expected in December".

The RCN has confirmed that all NHS trusts in Sussex have met the threshold for industrial action, meaning at least 50 per cent of nurses voted in favour of the strikes. 

A spokeswoman for the RCN South East region said: "Nursing staff at all NHS trusts in Sussex have voted to take strike action over pay levels and patient safety concerns."

The Argus: RCN members from trusts across Sussex have voted in favour of strike actionRCN members from trusts across Sussex have voted in favour of strike action (Image: RCN)

Industrial action is expected to begin before the end of this year and the RCN’s mandate to organise strikes runs until early May 2023, six months after members finished voting.

Nursing staff were balloted following NHS Agenda for Change pay announcements earlier this year, which left experienced nurses 20 per cent worse off in real-terms compared to ten years earlier.

“Anger has become action – our members are saying enough is enough. The voice of nursing in the UK is strong and I will make sure it is heard. Our members will no longer tolerate a financial knife-edge at home and a raw deal at work," said Pat Cullen, the RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive.

“Ministers must look in the mirror and ask how long they will put nursing staff through this. While we plan our strike action, next week’s Budget is the UK government’s opportunity to signal a new direction with serious investment. Across the country, politicians have the power to stop this now and at any point."

The trusts in Sussex where strike action will take place are:

  • East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
  • University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
  • South East Coast Ambulance Service
  • Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
  • Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
  • Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The Argus: Hospital staff in PPE

A spokeswoman for NHS Sussex said: “NHS organisations across Sussex are working together and individually to make sure there are plans in place to keep any potential disruption to patient care to a minimum should any strike action take place. 

“While pay is a matter for Government and the trade unions, we value our staff and want to see a resolution as soon as possible to ensure we can continue to focus on providing high quality patient care to all those who need it.”

The RCN said the detail of each strike, including which services will be impacted, is yet to be decided.

Ms Cullen added: “This action will be as much for patients as it is for nurses. Standards are falling too low and we have strong public backing for our campaign to raise them. This winter, we are asking the public to show nursing staff you are with us.”