 to vote for strike action in the union's biggest strike ballot. If nurses take to the picket lines then a 'life-preserving care model' will be activatedCredit: PA The results are expected to be announced later today. The ballot marks the first time the union has balloted all UK members for strike action in its 106 year existence. In the lead up, the Government said it has plans in place to deal with any industrial action by nurses. Health workers in other unions, including ambulance staff, hospital porters and cleaners, are also voting on industrial action over pay. Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden said in the event of strikes, the NHS would prioritise the most essential services – although he acknowledged that it would have an impact on other activity. 'We have well-oiled contingencies in place and the Department of Health is across how we would deal with a scenario like this should it arise,' he told Sky News's Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme. 'We will make sure we prioritise the most essential services – emergency services and so on. But of course there would be an impact as a result of a strike like that. 'I would continue to urge nurses and others to resist going out on strike even if they have voted to do so. We have already agreed quite considerable support for nurses. 'Of course, if you are in the situation where you have a large number of nurses going out on strike, of course that is going to have an impact for example on some elective surgery and other activities.' If nurses take to the picket lines then a 'life-preserving care model' will be activated. This would result in the cancellation of thousands of operations. Some of the most serious cancer cases could be treated, while urgent diagnostic procedures and assessments will be staffed if they are needed to gather data){kind=link}
NURSES are today set to reveal a ‘historic’ strike ballot, with walk-outs expected this winter.
More than 300,000 union members have been urged by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to vote for strike action in the union’s biggest strike ballot.
The results are expected to be announced later today.
The ballot marks the first time the union has balloted all UK members for strike action in its 106 year existence.
In the lead up, the Government said it has plans in place to deal with any industrial action by nurses.