East London’s health services are not likely to be directly affected by nurses’ strikes planned this month.
Earlier this month, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced that its members plan to strike over pay and patient safety on December 15 and 20.
However, a spokesperson for the nurses union said votes from its members at East London’s hospital trusts did not meet the legally “required threshold” for strike action.
Following the strike announcement, Barts Health NHS Trust posted a statement on its website saying it is continuing to develop winter contingency plans as other unions “may yet” vote for industrial action.
Barts serves a population of 2.5 million and manages five hospitals: Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City, The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, Mile End Hospital in Bethnal Green and Newham Hospital in Plaistow.
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT), which runs King George Hospital, Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital, Romford, confirmed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it will not be affected by the strike.
North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) and East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) have not responded to a request for comment.
When asked whether it is balloting for strikes at any of the hospitals, a spokesperson for Unison responded: “We haven’t yet announced ballot results”.
The RCN has been contacted for comment.
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