Latest news with #RoyalCollegeofNursing
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nurse pay 'lagging behind' public sector, union says
Pay for nurses in Wales is at a "standstill" and "lagging behind" other public sector workers, according to a union. Nurses have been offered a 3.6% pay rise for this financial year, below the offer for other NHS staff including doctors and dentists. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales has asked whether "downtrodden" nurses "have got the fight in them" to go back on strike. The Welsh government said it had accepted the recommendations made by the independent NHS pay review body in full and was working to ensure staff receive the pay increase and back pay "as soon as possible". Nurses and teachers get above inflation pay rise School strikes 'now unlikely' after 5.5% pay offer Announcing the pay offer, Wales' Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said nurses provided "exceptional care", adding their services were "truly appreciated". The minister accepted the advice of the NHS pay review body, including a 4% pay increase for doctors and dentists, and what has been described as an average rise of 5.4% for resident doctors, until recently known as junior doctors. Speaking to BBC Walescast, Nicky Hughes, RCN Wales' associate director of nursing, said the Welsh government should "respect all professions and provide equal pay or at least parity across all the public sectors". "Yet for the second year in a row we find that lagging behind and that really shows a complete disrespect for the profession." With the rise in everyday prices currently running at 3.5%, Ms Hughes said the 3.6% award for nurses was "about on inflation". She added the cost of living crisis, particularly for food, was also an issue. "We know that nurses are using food banks so, at the moment, what we're saying is, nurses deserve more." Ms Hughes also pointed to the 2,000 nursing vacancies in Wales, out of a workforce of about 40,000. She said the offer did not reflect nurses' work in recent months in reducing NHS waiting lists. In March, the number of patients waiting two years or more for planned treatment stood at 8,389 - its lowest point since April 2021. The RCN Wales will consult its members on the pay offer. Welsh nurses voted to go on strike several times at the end of 2022 and the start of 2023. Asked whether RCN members were willing to return to the picket lines, Ms Hughes said it would be "very difficult" currently. "They're tired, they're burnt out, they're trying to do the best for their patients that they can," she said. "So, although there will be an appetite with some of our members to go on strike, we will have to see where they go because they do feel very downtrodden at the moment. Ms Hughes added nurses were fighting "every day" to get through their shift, make sure patients had safe care, and to ensure colleagues were looked after A Welsh government spokesperson said: "We have accepted the recommendations made by the independent NHS Pay Review Body in full and are working to ensure that staff will receive both the pay increase and back pay as soon as possible. "We greatly value the nursing and midwifery workforce in Wales and the vital work they do." Watch Walescast at 22:40 BST on BBC One Wales or catch up on iPlayer. It is also available on BBC Sounds.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nurse pay 'lagging behind' public sector, union says
Pay for nurses in Wales is at a "standstill" and "lagging behind" other public sector workers, according to a union. Nurses have been offered a 3.6% pay rise for this financial year, below the offer for other NHS staff including doctors and dentists. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales has asked whether "downtrodden" nurses "have got the fight in them" to go back on strike. The Welsh government said it had accepted the recommendations made by the independent NHS pay review body in full and was working to ensure staff receive the pay increase and back pay "as soon as possible". Nurses and teachers get above inflation pay rise School strikes 'now unlikely' after 5.5% pay offer Announcing the pay offer, Wales' Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said nurses provided "exceptional care", adding their services were "truly appreciated". The minister accepted the advice of the NHS pay review body, including a 4% pay increase for doctors and dentists, and what has been described as an average rise of 5.4% for resident doctors, until recently known as junior doctors. Speaking to BBC Walescast, Nicky Hughes, RCN Wales' associate director of nursing, said the Welsh government should "respect all professions and provide equal pay or at least parity across all the public sectors". "Yet for the second year in a row we find that lagging behind and that really shows a complete disrespect for the profession." With the rise in everyday prices currently running at 3.5%, Ms Hughes said the 3.6% award for nurses was "about on inflation". She added the cost of living crisis, particularly for food, was also an issue. "We know that nurses are using food banks so, at the moment, what we're saying is, nurses deserve more." Ms Hughes also pointed to the 2,000 nursing vacancies in Wales, out of a workforce of about 40,000. She said the offer did not reflect nurses' work in recent months in reducing NHS waiting lists. In March, the number of patients waiting two years or more for planned treatment stood at 8,389 - its lowest point since April 2021. The RCN Wales will consult its members on the pay offer. Welsh nurses voted to go on strike several times at the end of 2022 and the start of 2023. Asked whether RCN members were willing to return to the picket lines, Ms Hughes said it would be "very difficult" currently. "They're tired, they're burnt out, they're trying to do the best for their patients that they can," she said. "So, although there will be an appetite with some of our members to go on strike, we will have to see where they go because they do feel very downtrodden at the moment. Ms Hughes added nurses were fighting "every day" to get through their shift, make sure patients had safe care, and to ensure colleagues were looked after A Welsh government spokesperson said: "We have accepted the recommendations made by the independent NHS Pay Review Body in full and are working to ensure that staff will receive both the pay increase and back pay as soon as possible. "We greatly value the nursing and midwifery workforce in Wales and the vital work they do." Watch Walescast at 22:40 BST on BBC One Wales or catch up on iPlayer. It is also available on BBC Sounds.
Medscape
28-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Doctors Oppose Mental Health Detention Power Proposals
Nine prominent medical and social care organisations have jointly condemned proposed amendments to mental health legislation that would extend police powers of detention to medical practitioners in England and Wales. The amendments, tabled during the passage of the Mental Health Bill through Parliament, would empower 'authorised' individuals, including medical professionals, to detain someone undergoing a mental health crisis. At present, only the police have these powers of detention under the Mental Health Act 1983. Joint Statement Urges Caution The nine groups, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of Nursing, and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, warned of the risk of "significant harm with dangerous consequences" from the proposals. The joint statement focused on proposed changes in the Bill to sections 135 and 136 of the Mental Health Act. These sections cover the detention of people in crisis in public or private settings. If passed, the amendments, introduced in the House of Lords, would authorise powers of detention for doctors, mental health nurses, and approved mental health professionals. Police officers would only need to attend to investigate a crime or if there was an immediate risk to life. Police Role is Vital, Say Signatories The organisations warned that removing police involvement in mental health incidents could be unsafe. According to the statement, 'instances of detentions under the Mental Health Act where there is no risk are almost non-existent.' It noted that 'the mere presence of uniformed officers can ensure that an otherwise risky situation remains contained and safe.' The organisations also noted that police are essential in carrying out many tasks that medical practitioners cannot perform, such as checking whether it is safe to enter a home. The Bill aims to deliver on the government manifesto commitment to modernise mental health legislation to give patients greater choice, autonomy, and enhanced rights and support, ensuring dignity and respect throughout treatment. It is intended to give effect to the policy approaches outlined in a 2018 independent review by Sir Simon Wessely. The statement criticised the lack of consultation with frontline professionals and patients. It warned that the changes could increase the use of restrictive practices and limit patient autonomy, undermining the aims of the legislation. Risk to Therapeutic Relationships Transferring police powers to healthcare professionals could risk damaging their therapeutic relationships with patients, the statement said. It might also discourage people from seeking help. Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, who worked on the 2018 review, echoed these concerns. "It is well known that at times, people experiencing a mental health crisis cannot be safely reached and cared for without the assistance of the police," she said. Delegating police powers without proper consultation or planning "sets a dangerous precedent" and is likely to increase risk to patients and compromise the safety of others, Smith added. Other signatories to the statement are the: Association of Directors of Adult Social Services Approved Mental Health Professional Leads Network British Association of Social Workers British Medical Association College of Paramedics Royal College of Emergency Medicine As the Bill moves to the committee stage in the House of Commons, the signatories called for joint working with police and government to improve crisis responses.
The Courier
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
NHS Fife nurse at centre of controversial trans tribunal suing her own trade union
The Kirkcaldy nurse suing NHS Fife over her suspension following a trans changing room row has launched legal action against her own trade union. Sandie Peggie is already embroiled in a tribunal with her employer after she told trans doctor Beth Upton she felt uncomfortable at the two sharing a women's locker room. Now she is suing the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) over claims the medical union has failed to help in her lengthy legal battle against NHS Fife. The decision comes just days after Ms Peggie's lawyer wrote to the RCN asking if bosses had written to Fife health board about the importance of single-sex spaces. The letter states Ms Peggie had felt 'disappointment' at the trade union's apparent lack of support. It's understood the Victoria Hospital A&E nurse first requested support from the RCN in early 2024, shortly after the changing room altercation. Sex Matters, a gender critical charity, claimed trade unions across Britain had done little to help female members fighting for single-sex spaces. Helen Joyce, the charity's director, said: 'Unions right across the economy have shamelessly abandoned members who've been penalised for asserting their right to single-sex spaces at work. 'Sandie Peggie's decision to sue RCN should be a wake-up call for every union representing employees who need single sex facilities for their basic privacy and dignity.' Ms Peggie and Dr Upton both gave evidence to the Dundee employment tribunal during the first two weeks of hearings in February. The hugely controversial case has sparked national headlines and caught the attention of celebrities like Harry Potter author JK Rowling. The tribunal is set to reconvene in July. The next round of hearings will come against the backdrop of the UK Supreme Court's ruling that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the equality act refer to biological women. NHS Fife was told to admit defeat in the tribunal following the court's judgement. Earlier this month we reported that the health board had failed in its bid to ban the public from watching the hearing online. The RCN has been contacted for comment.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
JK Rowling pledges to pay legal costs of ALL women discriminated against over views on gender
Multi-Millionaire JK Rowling has pledged to bankroll legal cases for women who feel they have been discriminated against for their gender critical views. Harry Potter author and prominent feminist Ms Rowling has set up a 'vital' 'fighting fund' to help women pursue action against employers and public services. The private war chest - called the JK Rowling Women's Fund (JKRWF) - is entirely financed by the outspoken author, who has a net worth of around £945m and was earlier this month ranked the 168th richest person in the UK and the 8th wealthiest in Scotland. News of the fund, which has been operating under the radar since the end of 2024, will likely open the door to hundreds of applications from women who have lost their livelihoods or are facing employment tribunals because of their views on sex-based rights. It comes after Ms Rowling has previously pledged to fund the legal campaigns of female prisoners who have been forced to share jails with biological men and women who have been strip-searched by transgender police officers. It also follows The Mail's revelations that nurse Sandie Peggie is suing her union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), for failing to support her in her battle with NHS Fife and trans medic Dr Beth Upton. Ms Rowling's supporters became aware of the JKRWF on Friday evening and rushed to social media to hail the initiative. In response to one X user writing: 'Is this real?', Ms Rowling responded: 'It's real, and has been for a while.' Another fan simply wrote: 'I could not love her more.' For Women Scotland, the campaign group behind the Supreme Court clarification on sex in the Equality Act on April 17 said: 'Thank you JK Rowling for this vital lifeline. 'Too many bodies, organisations, and companies - including the Scottish Government - are dragging their heels over implementing the law. When we said court cases were coming, it wasn't an idle threat!' The author told followers she would not be accepting public donations as a 'private fund is the most efficient, streamlined way for me to do this'. She added: 'Lots of people are offering to contribute, which I truly appreciate, but there are many other women's rights organisations that could do with the money, so donate away, just not to me!' A website for the war chest pledges it will be a 'legal fighting fund for women protecting their sex-based rights'. It stipulates it will not be providing legal services such as lawyers, rather it will give out money to help individuals and organisations to protect women-only spaces and views. Those eligible to apply for a cash boost include those who have lost their livelihoods or face tribunals, are being 'forced to comply with unreasonable inclusion policies regarding single-sex spaces and services' and are 'challenging legislation which takes away the freedoms or protections women are entitled to'. The criteria covers those who 'don't have adequate means to bring actions to court or to defend themselves' and all applications will go through a 'rigorous assessment'. The move comes after Scottish prisoner Jane Sutherley said she was considering suing the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) after she was forced to share facilities with transgender women. The Harry Potter author responded to suggestions she might fund the fight saying: 'Of course I'd give financial backing to any woman who wanted to sue because she suffered detriments through being incarcerated with a man. 'Women being locked up with men is a human rights violation. Vulnerable women being forced to agree that a man is a woman is a human rights violation. A surgically altered man is not a 'fully anatomical woman'. Saying these things is not hate, but truth.' Earlier this month, Ms Rowling said she would also help those who want to take the police to court amid concerns the authorities were acting too slowly in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling. Forces across the country have said they 'will not rush' to change their policies despite the bombshell judgment clarified that legal sex is based on biology, not gender identity. In response the author, 59, told her 14million followers on X: 'So the police are dragging their heels on stopping males strip-searching females, which, as the Supreme Court ruling confirmed, was illegal all along. I'm sure they hope no woman decides to sue. 'Of course, I'll fund her if she does.' The Mail yesterday revealed Scots nurse Mrs Peggie had launched legal action against the Scottish arm of the RCN. Last night a spokeswoman for Ms Rowling said the fund had been in operation for around six months. She said: 'We can confirm that a private fund set up by J.K. Rowling in order to manage her ongoing financial support for legal cases involving women's and girls' sex-based rights, has been in operation since late 2024. 'The J.K. Rowling Women's Fund is a privately run restricted fund, not a charity. The Fund cannot accept donations and has clearly defined criteria which can be found at 'Funding is at the discretion of J.K. Rowling, who is supported in this by an advisory board, and funding details are confidential between the fund and applicants.'
