For the first time in over 106 years, members of the Royal Collage of Nursing (RCN) voted to take strike action on Thursday 15th December and Tuesday 20th December.
Over 177 NHS trusts will be affected including primary hospitals across the whole of the UK, including the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
The strikes are expected to last for 12 hours on both days and there could be further action in May next year.
The RCN are adamant that patient safety is ‘paramount’ and that there will be defined areas of care that will remain exempt to prevent causing death or permanent disability including emergency services.
It is anticipated that outpatient appointments and non-urgent operations will be postponed and general nursing care in the hospitals on both these dates will be like that experienced on a weekend.
Nurse Strikes 2022
If Your Operation or Appointment is Postponed, What Can You Do?
During Covid, the NHS to put procedures in place to manage the impact of cancelled and postponed operations and appointments. However, with waiting times for most NHS services already above the maximum, the strike action is going to place additional pressures on wait times and cause them to increase.
You will be entitled to a new appointment or operation date within 28 days of your cancellation, provided it gets cancelled on the date originally scheduled. Unfortunately, this will not be the case if your appointment or operation is cancelled in advance.
How Long Might You Have to Wait for Another Operation or Appointment?
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to provide accurate timings to answer this. There is a maximum wait time of 18 weeks set by the NHS for cancelled non-urgent operations, but these will vary depending on different NHS trusts, departments, and the seriousness/urgency of your condition.
If your wait time has extended beyond 18 weeks, you have the right to complain to PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) at the hospital or the Clinical Commissioning Group, and ask for your care to be moved to another hospital.
Are You Entitled to Compensation?
We are living in unprecedented times and the effects of Covid-19 are still being seen throughout the NHS. While most of us are very grateful for the amazing health system we have here in the UK, life has not ground to a halt, and those who need emergency and life-saving treatment should still have access to it.
If you have suffered harm that would usually have been avoided if it weren’t for a protracted delay, this may amount to a breach of duty of care. In such cases, you could be entitled to compensation.
Find Help with Howells
If you’ve been mistreated or believe you’re entitled to medical compensation, get in touch with our medical negligence experts at Howells Solicitors. We can provide you with the right advice and information that you need to properly assess and manage your case.
