Royal College of Nursing industrial action update

From 8pm (or the start of the night shift) on Sunday 30 April until 11.59pm on Monday 1 May 2023, registered nurses and healthcare support workers who are members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are taking national strike action at a number of NHS trusts, including University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW). The industrial action, which falls on a bank holiday weekend, is a national dispute between the government and trade unions about terms and conditions. 

The RCN has confirmed that this strike will involve nursing staff working in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer care and other services that were previously exempt.

Patient safety is our top priority. We have tried and tested plans in place and are committed to keeping disruption caused by the industrial action to a minimum.

Appointments

Unfortunately, these strikes will have a significant impact upon planned and routine care.

We are working hard to prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery. We will only reschedule appointments and procedures where necessary and will rebook immediately, where possible.

If you have an appointment during the period of strike action, please attend your appointment unless you hear from us. Please don't call to check if your appointment is going ahead. We will be in touch with patients directly if we need to rearrange your appointment.

Our emergency department (ED)

Our urgent emergency services are continuing to run throughout the industrial action. If you have a life-threatening emergency, our emergency department in Bristol remains open 24 hours a day, and at Weston General Hospital it remains open 14 hours a day (8am-10pm), as usual.

Please be aware, that like the wider NHS and local health and care system, all of our hospitals are really busy:

• If you have a minor illness or minor injury, local GP surgeries and pharmacies will be open during the days of industrial action.
• If you have an urgent medical problem that isn't an emergency and aren't sure what to do, contact 111 first by phone or online - they will provide immediate medical advice and direct you to the best care for your needs.

Visiting patients

We continue to welcome family members and loved ones to visit patients at our hospitals during strike action. Please click here for our visiting guidance.

 For more information

Visit the NHS England website for further information about the strikes including answers to Frequently Asked Questions.