NHS nurses’ strike – Healthwatch England response

Commenting on the announcement, Healthwatch England national director Louise Ansari said:

“The NHS is currently facing pressures across the whole system, with staff capacity shrinking when patients’ needs are increasing.

At a time when a record number of people are waiting for hospital treatment, and many are yet to be diagnosed, the news of potential strikes will be concerning to patients and the wider public.

And that is why we encourage all parties to find a way to ensure the care of patients is not adversely affected this winter. We ask health and care services to announce what contingency planning is in place and issue clear and timely communications to patients and service users about any change to their care, and to minimise potential delays to treatment.”

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