The letter has also been sent to the party Chairman Oliver Dowden. The College will await the response on behalf of their half million respected nursing (voting) members.
Our General Secretary and Chief Executive
@patcullen9
has written to
@Mike_Fabricant
over his comments today on nurses drinking in staff rooms during
#COVID19
.
As I prepare to join many picket lines today, To all our nursing staff-I have utmost respect for you. Your courage to stand up and be heard for your patients will not be ignored. Shame on this Govt for leaving you out in the cold. 1st stop St Thomas Hsp. See you there colleagues
As we begin another day of strike action my thoughts are with all our nursing staff. The College will continue to fight for you and your patients. I will see many of you on pickets lines today.
As we approach 2023, I wish every member of our nursing staff a happy and healthy New Year. We will continue to work night and day to have your voices heard at the highest level. You deserve respect. You deserve a decent pay rise and you deserve to have safe staffing levels.
From St Thomas Hsp at 5.30am this morning, to Reading to Bristol to Cardiff, what a privilege to be amongst our brilliant nursing staff today. You shone for the profession and for patients. I am humbled to be called your leader and will keep speaking up for you.
Just arrived home after the most invigorating day spent with our nursing members. Rishi Sunak really does need to ‘buckle up’ - talking to nurses across the country this week, they will not be giving up!’
Thinking about every member of nursing staff across England today pushed to take further strike action. This Government is punishing their own nursing staff.
#shameful
I will see you on picket lines throughout the day.
Here I am at the Royal Victoria Inf the start of the 2nd day of action. This government must stop giving nursing staff the cold shoulder. Let’s start speaking and bring this strike to an end before Christmas
Our ballot for the next 6 months of strike action opens mid May. Today our nursing staff said the SoS taking them to court has only strengthened their resolve to not have their voice silenced. Make sure your colleagues all vote in the next ballot. Things will change. Thank You
Last stop of today at the Royal Liverpool Hsp and our members are still there. Unbelievable commitment from each and every member. Thank you for all you are doing.
Just been on the picket line at the QE Hsp Gateshead. Brave, professional and formidable nursing staff determined to speak truth to this government. They must be heard.
To every nurse who has worked 24/7 throughout the pandemic struggling to get a drink (of water) on shift, not having a party for their childrens birthdays or seeing their families and to those who moved into make shift hotels to limit risk to their patients, you have my respect.
Our nursing staff out in force at Whiston Hospital. Their message is loud and very clear ‘We expect you to keep fighting for us and our patients’ I hear you and the RCN is totally committed to doing the right thing for you.
Having met our members at St Thomas Hsp, Reading Hsp and Great Western Hsp I’m now on my way to Cardiff and looking forward to meeting our Welsh nursing staff. See you very soon.
Quite unbelievable. The lack of respect for own staff. Shocking to say the least. Perhaps paying their own nursing staff this rate would have resulted in them being able to afford to live.
If you fancy strike breaking tomorrow,
@YSTeachingNHS
are offering £40ph and fast track compliance is only five documents....😬😬😬
Shows how fast onboarding could be though I guess..
Tomorrow is a historic day for every member of our nursing staff across the UK. You have spoken and you will be heard. I will brief Council at 11am tomorrow and every member immediately afterwards.
Just spent the last few hours in Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead Hsp with our members. They are the reason this action will continue. They will not be left behind.
As day 6 of our strike action begins I am looking forward to meeting our nursing staff on many picket lines today. We will never give up on a decent pay rise for our members and safer staffing levels.
#RCNStrike
#rcnfairpaycampaign
There is no better way to be reminded why we need to keep going than walking alongside the most incredible nursing staff at Wigan Infirmary. Thank you to the Chief Nurse and CX for meeting me. Appreciated by all our nurses.
A patient challenges the PM over nurses pay. We move into the last week of our ballot for strike action so he needs to listen to patients and nursing staff. I’ve said over and over again - the voice of the nurse is the voice of the patient. Patients know the worth of nurses
Great start to the day meeting the brilliant nursing staff at UCLH. The Government needs to leave their warm offices today and walk amongst these nurses. They will make the right decisions when they listen to our nurses.
As we approach the final minutes of our current IA mandate, thank you to all our members who have stood on picket lines and worked to ensure safe patient care. We all must get behind our next ballot and get an even larger mandate for the next 6 months. We can do this.
Met with truly professional dignified and patient focused nursing staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Their passion and energy to do the right thing for patients is palpable.
#RCNStrike
Just joined the picket lines at Aintree Hsp and The Walton. Joined on the picket line by
@MetroMayorSteve
. Our brilliant members will continue to have their voices heard.
Drinking in the staff room? Our members led the response to the pandemic and still are. They go above & beyond every day to keep patients safe - too often putting their own lives on the line. The Tory party may disrespect nurses but we respect you and all you do.
#bestofnursing
"I don't think at any time he thought he was breaking the law... he thought just like many teachers and nurses who after a very long shift would go back to the staff room and have a quiet drink"
Tory MP Michael Fabricant urges Boris Johnson to apologise
I am really confident about our results and signs are that members have spoken very clearly across the UK. When the figures are available, I will brief Council and email them directly to every member. Our members will have their voices heard.
A great afternoon visiting 3 picket lines in Sheffield to meet our members. Thank you to our nursing staff at the Northern General, the Children’s Hospital and the Royal Hallamshire
Just leaving Cardiff after spending time with our members. They are very disappointed their First Minister or Cab Sec has not visited the picket line. Politicians are really missing the point
Listening to Rev Richard Cole this morning on his journey in life - standing up for gay rights, being gay in religious life and standing on picket lines and taking strike action. A man of numerous talents but with real back bone. No better way to spend Sunday morning.
Incredible turn out at the picket line in Bath. Many questions about the intransigence of the Prime Minister and the utter disdain he is showing for our nursing profession.
#RCNStrike
#FairPayforNursing
A truly uplifting morning on picket lines at St Mary’s Hsp, Great Ormond Street Hsp, the National at UCLH and Guys Hsp. The resilience of our nursing staff knows no bounds.
#RCNStrike
#fairpayfornursing
A very lively picket line at St George’s Hospital. Every time I visit a picket line I am filled with excitement for the future of the profession as these nurses are just incredible.
#RCNStrike
On the eve of our College balloting our members for strike action I want to say to every member of nursing staff - as your General Secretary and Chief Exec I will walk every step of this journey with you determined you are treated decently and that your voice will be heard.
How can the real true experience of brilliant nurses like Rhian be ignored by this government? Surely they can’t keep turning their back on our nursing staff. This is wrong in every level.
“We are shouting and telling you that our patients are not safe.”
Rhian Wheater says in 24 years of working as a nurse she has never seen it in the “crisis that it is in right now”.
Social care minister Helen Whately says the government is doing what they can to help.
At Cramlington Northumbria with our members. Day 2 of IA and sheer determination for their patients. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you are doing
Last picket line of our 6th day of strike action in Southampton. The temperature dropped significantly but the spirit and determination of our members most certainly had not dipped. I’ve come away knowing there must be a deal for these brilliant nurses across England.
#RCNStrike
Just left the picket line in Tameside where our nursing staff are determined to have their dispute with government addressed as a priority for patients and the NHS. Thank you to
@faerycaramel
@SheilaSobrany
and Maggy Heaton for their support. Delighted to see you.
The challenge with recovering from major surgery is having time to listen to the Health Secretary denigrate doctors. I found his words repulsive and disgusting. I can’t thank the doctors and nursing staff enough for their expert care of myself and every patient. Pathetic speech.
As nurses enter another week of relentless pressures we all must recognise they are working away above their contracted obligations, are over worked & over tired. Any attempt to force them to cancel their annual leave would be inhumane. They also need some rest.
TY to the 100’s of members of the public who contacted me today by to express their disgust at the shameful comments by Mike Fabricant MP about our nursing staff. The public support nurses in the same way we will never let patients down. Awaiting apology from PM for this smear.
This week we expect Government to announce a pay award. Pls don’t push our nurses to where they were in NI, standing on picket lines for safe staffing and a decent wage. This would be wrong on every level after what nurses and all HSC staff have gone through. Do the decent thing
A very lively group of nursing staff at Ipswich Hospital who are determined to keep making personal sacrifices on behalf of their patients - standing on picket lines to have their voices heard. Thank you for your commitment and determination.
Thank you for all the nursing staff on pickets lines at West Suffolk. I share your dismay at this Prime Minister turning his back on you. It has to stop.
#RCNStrikes
#FairPayforNursing
Some words just hit you when out walking. The rest of her words: ‘and it’s voice cannot be denied’. Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett GBE. If only we had her courage in politics today.
As I leave our proud RCN building now, I think of all our members who with very heavy hearts embark on strike action tomorrow morning. I have nothing but the utmost respect for every nurse in NI standing for patient safety. You & your patients deserve better. Full of admiration.
In all this chaos it was our nurses and health care staff who had the ‘hearts of lions’ and seen us through. The ‘true lions’ who led by never losing sight of doing the right thing for their patients. We owe the public & nursing staff a public inquiry now, not in a years time.
Final picket line of today at Queen Victoria Hsp East Grinstead. The Country’s smallest Trust but you sure wouldn’t have thought that from the amazing nursing staff on the picket line.
#RCNStrikes
#FairPayforNursing
Thank you to every nurse for taking time out of their busy shifts today to speak with me. We
@theRCN
hear you and your concerns about low wages and poor staffing. This Govt must care for nurses so they can care for their patients.
What a privilege to meet our members and activists at Reading and Great Western Swindon hospitals. Thank you for everything do. You deserve so much more.
Started my morning meeting our nursing staff on the picket line at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. -2 standing in the freezing cold but full of determination and courage.
#RCNStrike
#FairPayforNursing
Thinking of every member of nursing staff and all public sector workers in NI this morning who are selflessly standing in the freezing cold on picket lines. You all deserve better as do the people of NI. See you on the Antrim picket line shortly.
On the last day of our current strike mandate it has been just uplifting to be amongst our members again. Thank you for everything and let’s keep going.
@uclh
@GreatOrmondSt
@royalmarsdenNHS
Happy Nurses Day to every member of nursing staff. I know I will see many of you at Congress where we will be celebrating the best of nursing. Such respect for all you do.
Happy Nurses Day to all our nursing staff today. It’s a privilege to be part of the most incredible profession. The RCN will continue to make sure you are treated with decency, dignity and respect and an insulting pay offer won’t be acceptable.
@Peston
The Chancellor would do well to remind himself that over 100,000 nurses voted to continue strike action. He’s sure pushing them to take further action.
#enoughisenough
I am thinking of all our nurses today. Your dignity, integrity and commitment knows no bounds. I will see you all throughout the day, either in your workplaces or on picket lines.
#safestaffingsaveslives
I seldom put anything personal on SM but being cared for by the most amazing team of nursing staff, doctors, porters and housekeepers at BCH I wish to thank them. 1/3
Finished today in Colchester with more fantastic nursing staff and our reps and activists. Thank you for waiting in the cold to late evening. Amazing nurses who selflessly continue to speak up for their patients.
#RCNStrike
#FairPayforNursing
2nd stop in Brighton at Sussex Community Trust again meeting formidable passionate nursing staff who are determined to keep going on behalf of their patients
#RCNStrike
Just left the Salisbury picket line. Amazing formidable nursing staff. The NHS is in very safe hands. They never give up. Listened to heartbreaking accounts of the challenges with decimated nursing staff levels. This is just not sustainable
#RCNStrikes
#FairPayforNursing
Just attended the European Federation of Nurses Exec Committee
@EFNBrussels
. All members send their full support to our nursing staff taking strike action. They tell me the eyes of the world are watching how our profession is being treated so poorly by respective govts in the UK
An incredible bunch of passionate committed nursing staff and HC assistants on the picket line in Bournemouth. They are clear in their message. They expect a decent pay award for 22/23 and they expect safe staffing to be addressed for their patients. I hear you loudly
#RCNStrike
Thank you to our public affairs and policy staff reform their relentless research evidence and lobbying of HoL. This work has seriously paid off. So proud of the
@theRCN
staff and their commitment.
Today, an amendment to the anti-strike bill - protecting staff from being fired for taking strike action - was passed by the House of Lords following RCN lobbying.
Read more.
#RCNStrike
As I reflect on this week having had the privilege of meeting hundreds of our nursing staff in the workplaces across England I am left wondering how has the profession kept going? Example after example of how nursing staff are saying it’s not possible to keep doing their jobs 1/6
On my way to meet our members in Surrey. Thank you to all our members and the public who spent time talking to us outside UCLH this morning. The public support for nursing staff is incredible.
#mosttrustedprofessionals
@ShaunLintern
@HMAnderson39
Instead of NHS Employers & SoS Barclay taking nursing staff to court for trying to sort the NHS crisis, shouldn’t they make sure patients have safe nursing staff levels & get the care & treatment they are entitled to. They have got this so wrong. Their nurses don’t deserve this.
Listening to the Niall Murphy interview with the utmost pride and admiration for nurses who stood on picket lines to save the NHS even though they were heartbroken to have to do so at the time. Niall’s thanks was noted in abundance. Everyone should listen to this interview.
@BBCTalkback
"Why should a hedge fund manager get paid millions, and a nurse has to stand in the darkness and the wet to protest to keep their patients safe. There is so much in society that needs to be re-imagined."
Gutting for nurses to hear this morning that once again the DoH has refused to pay nurses their lost earnings at a time when nurses are delivering the vaccine whilst they continue to carry out their day and daily care for patients. Words come easy but nurses dont see much action
@theRCN
The disgusting words of a Prime Minister who along with her Health Secretary treats this College and the half million plus nursing staff we represent with total contempt. Many letters written requesting urgent meetings but I haven’t received a single response.
Emilia Clarke speaks passionately about the impact of neurological specialist nurses on patients and families. A fantastic ambassador for RCN and nurses
@RCN_NI
Dominic Cummings says: ‘people like me, the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary, we let down people on the frontline’. Every single nurse knew this was the case. What an indictment on government.
Last picket line of this mandate at St George’s with my colleagues - our members. Total respect. We will do it again and again until you are heard. With you every step of this journey. It’s our journey - for every nurse.
@StGeorgesTrust
Delighted to meet our nursing staff at Eastbourne. I cannot thank our members enough for what they are doing for patients, the public and our profession. Met many up and coming new nurses supporting their mums and Nannys! What a pleasure.
#RCNStrikes
Today I died and went to heaven. In the company of the great
@PadraigHampsey
Tyrone Captain all Ireland winners who visited with the one and only Sam. Couldn’t resist a photo with Sam and the Person of the Year award which still takes pride of place in Deramore.
@newbelfast
Preparing to meet the RCN NI Board this morning. A new dawn a new beginning for the most amazing nurses & health care staff in the world. The power of their voice for patients will never be under estimated again. Add this to political leadership and there’s real hope for our NHS
I haven’t had an opportunity to thank our nurses and the public for their support today. I am immensely proud of every nurse in NI. You deserve a break. I hear your voice loud & clear - strike action continues on the 8 & 10 December on behalf of your patients and their safe care.
Our dear family friend James’ film nominated. Also up for a BAFTA. James is one of the most wonderful actors you could meet. He is a real ambassador for our wee country. So proud.
“I got a call from the health service. They’re in dire straits looking scrubs for their frontline staff. We are currently in the factory making samples of what we can do for them”
Kieran Kennedy of
@ONeills1918
Sports told RTÉ that he went to Altnagelvin hospital to get samples
Our nursing members on the picket line at the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast in the freezing cold. Losing pay to protect the NHS. They deserve their pay to be kept in line with the rest of the UK countries. Disgraceful treatment of all public sector workers in NI
As every Tory politician continues with their personal self indulgence to keep power in their hands I suggest they take a leaf out of the nurses book of integrity - patients first. No nurse receives £115k after less then a few months in post and never will receive.