NHS nurses hold placards during a strike, amid a dispute with the government over pay, outside St Thomas' Hospital
(Picture: REUTERS)The effect of NHS strikes will likely spill over into days following the walkouts, NHS leaders have warned.
NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, mental health, community and ambulance services, said there was was particular concern about patients who may have delayed seeking care.
On Wednesday, around 25,000 ambulance workers in many parts of England walked out. Another walk-out across eight ambulance services is due to follow on December 28.
Nurses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland went on strike for the second day on Tuesday, in a dispute over pay.
NHS Providers interim chief executive, Saffron Cordery, said: “Leaders across the NHS also know that as this week’s strike action draws to a close, the disruption is far from over.
“The fallout from strike action is likely to spill over into the coming days due to the knock-on impact across different parts of the health and care system, the need to reschedule elective and outpatient appointments, and the anticipation of a return to very high numbers of emergency calls.
“There is particular concern about patients who may have delayed seeking care – and whose conditions have deteriorated – now coming forward for treatment.”
Some health leaders and staff have felt "a sense of helplessness and moral injury" amid strike action, the organisation added. It urged “serious talks - including on pay” between the Government and unions to avoid more industrial action.
However, to date, Rishi Sunak has refused to budge on pay, saying rises could make inflation worse.
Appearing before a Commons committee on Tuesday, the prime minister said politicians should not “cut across” the independent pay review process to increase salaries for nurses and paramedics, despite the risk of more strikes.
Ms Cordery said Trust leaders would learn from this week’s strikes to strengthen plans for the next ambulance workers’ walkout next week.
“They do of course understand how strongly nurses and ambulance staff feel and why below-inflation pay awards against a backdrop of the rising cost of living, severe staff shortages and ever-increasing workloads have brought them to take strike action this week,” she said.
“They are once again reiterating their call for urgent, serious talks - including on pay - between health ministers and unions to avert more strikes in the future.”
