Monday, January 16, 2023

UK
Nurses to join picket lines at Colchester Hospital entrance - here is when


Liam Maynard
Sat, 14 January 2023

The Royal College of Nursing confirms picket lines will be held at Colchester Hospital's entrance (Image: PA)

NURSING staff at Colchester Hospital will take to the picket line next week.

Scheduled strikes are due to take place on January 18 and 19, from 7.30am, till 7.30pm, with picket lines set to ensure the nurses have their voices heard.

The Royal College of Nursing says picket lines will take place at the main entrances of both the Colchester Hospital and Ipswich Hospital on both days.

In a statement released on their website, the RCN said: “If you’re an RCN member scheduled to work on 18 or 19 January at this employer, you can participate in strike action by withdrawing your labour and not working on one or both of these dates.

“As a member of the RCN employed at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, you have the right to be part of lawful strike action at any of the picket lines above."

They further advised anyone not working on the days of the scheduled strikes can attend the picket lines, as well as members of the public, to show solidarity with striking nurses.

Responding to the strikes, hospital bosses confirmed earlier this week some patients may be informed that their non-urgent operations and appointments will have to be moved.

Alongside thousands of other members of the Royal College of Nursing, strike action will take place across the country on the same days, in response to staff shortages and low wages.

Nick Hulme, chief executive of ESNEFT had previously advised that the hospital had been preparing for the strikes, planning around what the impact of ESNEFT patients could be.

He said: "We are planning for all eventualities to keep patients safe – that is our top priority. We encourage all patients to come for their appointments unless they hear otherwise.

“We want to see a resolution as soon as possible to make sure we can continue to focus on delivering high-quality and compassionate patient care.”

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