AP Kin Cheung
Nurses participate in a protest outside St. Thomas' Hospital in London Thursday 15 December 2022 during what is expected to be a month of strikes by public service workers.

Nurses from 12 London NHS employers strike as part of an unprecedented health sector walkout over pay and working conditions.

Tens of thousands of nurses walked out on Thursday in the first of two days of strike action.

The exact numbers of staff from each hospital striking has not been confirmed by the Royal College of Nursing.

According to a list published by the RCN the London NHS Trusts affected by the strikes include:

  • Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
  • Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
  • Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
  • NHS North Central London ICB
  • Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Not all nurses who voted for the strike action are walking out on Thursday.

Staff will continue “life-preserving” care and provide urgent medical support, but surgical procedures and routine treatments are said to be disrupted.

GPs surgeries, dentists and community pharmacies are not being affected.

There may be partial staffing for cancer treatment and mental health services.

Members of the RCN voted for the strike action last month after the union’s demand for a pay rise of 5% above the RPI inflation rate wasn’t met.

The RCN says that the average pay for nurses has fallen by 6% over the past 10 years and this is affecting staff retention and patient care.

RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen has asked the government to “do the decent thing” and work with the union to resolve the disputes before 2023 begins.

Health Minister Maria Caulfield acknowledges “it is difficult” to live on a nurse’s wage, but called the RCN’s demands for a 19% pay rise “an unrealistic ask”.

The next day of strike action will go ahead on 20 December unless progress is made in talks between the RCN and the government.

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