RCN members who work in HSC services in Ireland have started to go on even more industrial action. They are pushing for pay parity for nursing staff across the UK. They are also asking for better staffing levels as well. of course, they are working to their contract of employment which means finishing and starting on time and also starting breaks. They are also stating that they are not going to be performing any non-nursing related duties as well. Today’s action has really gone ahead after pay discussions happened to take place between health trade unions and the Department of Health as well. A pay offer was on the table but it happened to be rejected as it fell short of the requirements that have been set by the members.

The Director of the RCN, Pat Cullen has come out to say that those who work with a nurse agency or even a nursing recruitment agency expect pay parity across England and even Wales too. They are also asking for even more concrete measures to be put in place as they try to address the staffing crisis that is happening in Northern Ireland.

Even though the Secretary of State in Northern Ireland has come out with a statement to try and intervene, it’s safe to say that health officials are not capable of grasping the severity of the situation and that they are also not doing everything they can to try and resolve it. Nurses do not need to listen to the same excuses about budgets and they do not need to work endless hours for very little pay either. All in all, more needs to be done because if it isn’t then this could grow the problem even more in the future.