RCN Northern region - News archive

December 2012

• Teesside NHS trust is still in talks over sickness pay (18 December 2012)
  The Evening Gazette reports that North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to consult with staff over plans to replace their existing contracts with inferior terms and conditions. Regional Director Glenn Turp is quoted: “The Trust is currently analysing the feedback from the consultation and will be presenting the findings with recommendations to the board at the end of January.” 
• Cumbrian hospitals trust lifts freeze on new staff (11 December 2012)
  The News & Star reports that the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust has lifted a ban on recruiting permanent staff after hearing of “rapid rises” in costs for agency workers. RCN representative Neil Anderson is quoted. 
• Safeguards call on north Cumbrian hospital standards (6 December 2012)
  The News & Star reports that unions are calling on the Government to step in and assure the future of the north Cumbrian hospitals, in the wake of the Dr Foster report. 
• Sunderland hospital deaths among lowest in country (5 December 2012)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that death rates at the Sunderland Royal Hospital are among the lowest in the country, according to the Dr Foster Report. 
• Nursing expert given CBE (4 December 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports that RCN Chair of Council Kath McCourt has been awarded a CBE. 
• Alarm over death rates at Gateshead’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital (4 December 2012)
  The Journal reports that the Dr Foster Report found death rates to be higher than expected at the hospital. 
• North Cumbria hospital deaths ‘worryingly’ high (3 December 2012)
  BBC Cumbria reports on the high number of deaths revealed at Cumbrian hospitals by the Dr Foster Report.

November 2012

• North Cumbria’s hospitals cancel non-urgent operations (30 November 2012)
  The News & Star reports that elective surgery has been cancelled at the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital. 
• Identical NHS jobs paying 50% less in the North than the South (29 November 2012)
  The Daily Mirror reports that workers manning the 111 service in the south will receive £11.20 an hour, while operators in the North will only earn £7.70. 
• Concerns over new NHS phoneline (27 November 2012)
  The Hartlepool Mail reports on NHS Direct being replaced by the 111 service. 
• Union’s plea as bosses bid to rescue Cumbria mental health service (23 November 2012)
  The Times & Star reports on Cumbria’s failing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. 
• Unions criticise leaked plans to close NHS Direct centres in region (9 November 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports that a leaked memo suggests that the two NHS Direct centres in the North East could be replaced by one in Carlisle. 
• Health trusts' £607,000 pay-off bill (1 November 2012)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that exit-packages for NHS staff at PCTs across the region came to £670,000 in 2011-12. Regional Director Glenn Turp is quoted: “Obviously people are entitled to their redundancy payments, and where these are legitimate entitlements we fully support that. Our concern is where people have been made redundant from Primary Care Trusts, and then immediately re-employed in a different area of the NHS.”

October 2012

• Unions’ anger at sick pay plan (26 October 2012)
  The Hartlepool Mail reports that around 100 union members attended a protest outside the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton on Thursday 25 October. RCN member Josie Robinson is quoted, as is Communications Officer Jake Turnbull. 
• North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust staff in protest (26 October 2012)
  The Evening Gazette reports on the North Tees Hospital protest, and mentions the RCN’s opposition to the Trust’s proposed changes to AfC terms and conditions. 
• BBC Sunday Politics Show (28 October 2012)
  Operational Manager Estephanie Dunn’s interview on the removal of staff sickness enhancements at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, was broadcase on Sunday 28 October at 11am on BBC 1.
• Teesside nurses set to protest (22 October 2012)
  The Evening Gazette reports that members of the RCN will be protesting against proposed changes to their sick pay terms and conditions by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, on Thursday 25 October.
• NHS Trust in ‘dirty tricks’ pay slashing (12 October 2012)
  The Daily Mirror reports that City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has broken away from national AfC terms and conditions, with a policy that could ultimately affect around 1500 workers who in 2011 did not receive an appraisal or mandatory training. The RCN Northern region is quoted: “It’s fundamentally wrong to penalise staff for management failings.”
• North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust issue redundancy notice (5 October 2012)
  The Evening Gazette reports that the North Tees and Hartlepool Trust has issued advanced notice of redundancy for around 5,500 staff in a bid to remove enhanced sick pay. Regional Director Glenn Turp is quoted: “This is an incredibly confrontational approach, particularly as national negotiations are still continuing.”
• Regional NHS pay rejected by Cumbrian Health Trust (5 October 2012)
  The News & Star reports that the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed it will not be joining a pay cartel in the Northern region. Operational Manager Estephanie Dunn is quoted: “We congratulate Cumbria Partnership for taking a stance that demonstrates they understand the value of maintaining staff morale at a very difficult time for the NHS.” 
• Paramedics 'left waiting 2½ hours' at James Cook University Hospital (3 October 2012)
  The Evening Gazette reports that paramedics were left waiting due to high admissions. Regional Director Glenn Turp is quoted: “Similar challenging patient volumes were seen right across the North East, and it is obviously vital that trusts are able to cope not just with anticipated patient volumes on a regular day, but also with extraordinary patient volumes too.”
• North East health trusts reject regional pay plans (1 October 2012)
  The Journal reports that Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have confirmed that they will not introduce regional pay. Operational Manager Estephanie Dunn is quoted.

September 2012

• New hospital boss is welcomed by union (19 September 2012)
  The News & Star reports that the RCN Northern region has welcomed the appointment of Ann Farrar, as interim chief executive of the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. 
• Concerns raised over NHS firm Vocare Group (12 September 2012)
  The Journal reports that Vocare Group, who are set to take over the North East's 111 non-emergency telephone service, is experiencing difficulties with some of its contracts. 
• Health Chiefs Urged to Ditch Pay Scheme (5 September 2012)
  The News & Star reports that Regional Director Glenn Turp has called on health trusts in the North East and Cumbria to reject plans for regional pay.
• Sun FM (4 September 2012)
  Regional Director Glenn Turp was interviewed on the Sunderland radio station, regarding implementing regional pay in the NHS.
• Unions blast Teesside hospital’s private wing plan (1 September 2012)
  The Evening Gazette reports that South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are looking into the possibility of using part of the James Cook University Hospital to provide private healthcare.

August 2012

• Protesters call for baby unit to stay (27 August 2012)
  The Journal reports that more than 250 people protested over the recent temporary closure of Berwick Infirmary’s midwifery-led maternity unit. The RCN is mentioned as having “raised concerns” about the closure.
• Health chiefs ‘would fight regional pay plans’ (24 August 2012)
  The Journal reports that any move to enforce regional pay in the NHS in the North East would be vigorously opposed by the RCN Northern region and members. Regional Director Glenn Turp is quoted: “All NHS employers across the North East need to be on notice that preliminary indications are that our members are of the mindset that if something similar were attempted in our region, they would inevitably demand a very robust response.” 
• Overseas NHS plan questioned (23 August 2012)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that the RCN Northern Region has urged caution over plans to allow NHS hospitals to expand abroad. Regional Director Glenn Turp is quoted: “It’s important to remember that the core purpose of individual trust management teams is to ensure that local hospitals provide safe and high quality healthcare for local communities at home.” 
• Cumbrian health chiefs urged to ‘stay focussed’ on local services (22 August 2012)
  The News & Star reports that, following reports that NHS Trusts may be encouraged to expand into providing  NHS care abroad, Regional Director Glenn Turp is quoted: “While branching out into new service areas may make financial sense for a few leading trusts, it is not a viable option for many others”. Glenn also noted that ““It’s important to remember that the core purpose of individual trust management teams is to ensure local hospitals provide safe, high quality healthcare for local communities at home”.
• Health union wants to know why Cumbrian hospitals boss not in post (21 August 2012)
  The News & Star reports that Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Operating Officer, Ann Farrar, has not moved across to the North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust as interim CEO, ahead of the Trust’s takeover, due to delays signing a takeover agreement. Both Unison, and Regional Director Glenn Turp are quoted. Glenn said “the people of Cumbria and trust staff are desperate to get a new, high quality management team in place, so that they can begin to turn around the challenging issues at the trust.” 
• 12,000 NHS jobs ‘not been filled’ (21 August 2012)
  The Evening Gazette reports that more than 12,000 NHS job posts have not been filled after people have retired, quit or moved on to other organisations, according to data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre. 
• CQC report on North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust (15 August)
  Operational Manager Estephanie Dunn was interviewed by ITV Border news concerning the publication of the CQC’s report into West Cumberland Hospital and Cumberland Infirmary. Estephanie’s interview is available to watch on the ITV Border website, beneath news story.

July 2012

• Cumbria midwifery review criticised (24 July 2012)
  ITV Border news reports that the RCN has criticised North Cumbria’s review into maternity services, which proposes to down-band a number of senior midwives.
• New managers to help run North Cumbria’s hospitals (17 July 2012)
  The News & Star reports that managers from Northumbria healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are being brought in to help manage North Cumbria University Hospital Trust, ahead of their takeover in December. However, current managers, including CEO, Neil Goodwin, are being kept on.
• North-South health funding divide is ‘nonsense’, claims top Sunderland Tory (16 July 2012)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that following RCN analysis – that trusts in the North East and Cumbria will have to make a total of more than £100million in savings over the 2012-13 financial year – Robert Oliver, leader of the Sunderland Conservative Group has denied claims of a North-South divide in NHS funding.
• Northumbria University gets accredited by Royal College of Nursing (11 July 2012)
  The Journal reports that the RCN has accredited the university’s pre-registration nursing programmes. Dr Peter Carter is quoted.
• Hospitals in North East must make £100m saving (6 July 2012)
  The Journal reports that North East and Cumbria NHS hospital trusts are being asked to save £104.6m this year through their cost improvement plans.
• The Royal College of Nursing welcomes children’s heart unit review (5 July 2012)
  ITV Tyne Tees reports that the review of children’s cardiac services has confirmed that surgical procedures will continue at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.
• Staffing not enough (5 July 2012)
  The Shields Gazette’s ‘Have Your Say’ section features a letter about low staffing levels for older people in hospitals and care homes. The RCN’s recommended minimum staffing levels, of at least one nurse to every seven patients, are referred to.

June 2012

• North Cumbria’s hospitals must find £17m more in savings (29 June 2012)
  The News & Star reports that North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust must find a further £16.9 million in savings this financial year; 7.8% of their total expected turnover.
• North East NHS strike over cuts to car mileage rates (29 June 2012)
  The Journal reports that Unison members at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust took part in half a day of industrial action, over plans to cut their car mileage rates. RCN Officer Martin O’Neill is quoted, in relation to RCN members affected by the cuts.
• Up to 366 Tees healthcare workers facing axe (27 June 2012)
  The Evening Gazette reports that up to 366 healthcare workers employed by PCTs across Teesside could lose their jobs when they are abolished next April.
• Trust plans to boost ward sister role (25 June 2012)
  Nursing Times reports that County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has announced it is to recruit 40 band 5 nurses to help ward sisters to devote more of their time to leadership and management roles.
• 1000 North East NHS staff in fear of losing jobs (18 June 2012)
  The Evening Chronicle reports that more than 1000 NHS staff in the North East face possible redundancy at the region’s Primary Care Trusts.
• GPs across Cumbria set to strike (18 June 2012)
  The News & Star reports on the BMA industrial action on 21 June. 
• Fears rise over cuts to mobile blood units (17 June 2012)
  The Sunday Sun reports that a leaked document has revealed plans to halve the NHS Blood and Transplant’s number of mobile blood units, cut donor sessions with six beds by up to 40%, and cap staff overtime.

May 2012

• Cumbria alcohol service funding crisis “will cost taxpayer” (25 May 2012)
  The News & Star reports that Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service has warned of a looming funding crisis which is already impacting on valuable support services.
• MP wants action after new safety fears raised at north Cumbria hospitals (21 May 2012)
  The News & Star reports that a new safety scare at north Cumbria’s hospitals has prompted Copeland MP Jamie Reed to call on the Health Secretary to intervene to prevent a major care crisis.
• Nurse calls for rethink over urgent care line (16 May 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports on member Sue Stockdale’s speech at RCN Congress, over the future of NHS Direct.
• Deputy PM Nick Clegg comes out against regional pay plans (15 May 2012)
  The Journal reports that Nick Clegg has opposed the Government’s proposals to implement regional pay.
• Health trust’s £800,000 for care and jobs (11 May 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports on additional funding being allocated by CDDFT create supervisory Ward Sisters and Community Nurse Team Leaders across the Trust.

April 2012

• Health workers put dementia care in the spotlight (27 April 2012)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that more than 160 health workers gathered at a conference in Durham aimed at improving dementia care.
• Union chief warns Cumbrian health staff will be badly hit by regional pay rates (26 April 2012)
  The News & Star reports on the coalition Government’s NHS Pay Review document, and the effect that regional rates of pay will have on Cumbrian NHS workers.
• Cumbrian nurses go back to their caring roots (25 April 2012)
  The News & Star reports on the Principles of Nursing conference the RCN held in Cumbria.
• £28m bill for pay-offs from North East NHS (14 April 2012)
  The Journal reports that 478 staff have been handed ‘exit packages’ worth a total of £28.52m in the North East and North Yorkshire, as a result of Government plans to reshape the health service.
• Former NHS chief exec received £150,000 pay-off (14 April 2012)
  The Telegraph reports on former North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Carole Heatly, who received salary and benefits worth £19,000 a month, for eight months after she left the trust, until details of her ‘compromise agreement’ were leaked.
• 40 jobs at risk after Cumbrian drug service bid lost (3 April 2012)
  The News & Star reports that the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has lost its bid to continue running county drug and alcohol dependency services, to an NHS Trust from Greater Manchester.

March 2012

• Nursing levels and elderly care (27 March 2012)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that care of older people is suffering as a result of a nursing shortage, according to a new RCN report.
• MP demands answers over hospital deaths (22 March 2012)
  The Times & Star reports that MP Tony Cunningham is demanding answers after seven people died recently at the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, following falls or other incidents.
• Union blasts health manager payouts (22 March 2012)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that the RCN has criticised the money spent on ‘exit packages’ for health managers at the region’s primary care trusts, when many are rehired weeks later for the Government’s new clinical commissioning groups. 
• Cumbrian hospital rated among worst in the country by their own staff (21 March 2012)
  The News & Star reports that staff at the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital ranked the hospitals in the bottom 20 per cent, in the national NHS staff survey.
• NHS reforms approved by Parliament (20 March 2012)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that the Health Bill has been passed by Parliament. Dr Peter Carter is quoted, describing the Bill as “deeply flawed”.
• Nursing jobs cut (20 March 2012)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that RCN Northern region analysis has shown that between May 2010 and November 2011, 513 fewer nurses and midwives were employed in the region.
• NHS rehiring policy costing region dear (20 March 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports that almost £30 million has been spent on ‘exit packages’ for health managers at the region’s primary care trusts, only for many to be rehired weeks later for the Government’s new clinical commissioning groups.
• Jobs to go at Friarage Hospital in shake-up (8 March 2012)
  The Evening Gazette reports that South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is to merge coronary care and medical admissions units at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.
• Hospital trust fifth top in UK (8 March 2012)
  The Berwick Advertiser reports that patients voted Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust the best in the region and among the top five NHS trusts in the country, in the 2011 National Outpatient Survey.
• Why does change matter? (5 March 2012)
  In his regular column in the Evening Chronicle, Regional Director Glenn Turp writes about the Government’s refusal to disclose the risks associated with the Health and Social Care Bill.
• Under-threat hospital bosses in Cumbria given CV writing lessons (5 March 2012)
  The News & Star reports that interim North Cumbria Hospitals CEO Neil Goodwin has invited managers to informal CV and interview preparation seminars.
• Nursing union hits out at efforts to find North Cumbria Hospitals whistleblower (2 March 2012)
  The News & Star reports that North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust CEO Neil Goodwin sent a memo to staff, stating that the trust was investigating the leaking of a confidential financial report to the paper.

February 2012

• Northumberland County Council to lend NHS trust £100m to end PFI contracts (27 February 2012)
  The Journal reports that Northumberland County Council has proposed to give a 25-year £100m loan to Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, to buy itself out of PFI contracts for work on Hexham Hospital and Ashington’s Wansbeck General.
• Union dismay over transfer of service (22 February 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports that drug and alcohol misuse services in Darlington are to be taken away from the NHS and transferred to North East charity NECA.
• What do the NHS reforms mean for us? (22 February 2012)
  The Northern Echo features an article, which explains the effect the Health Bill could have on NHS services.
• PM vows to push on with NHS reforms (20 February 2012)
  The Journal reports that David Cameron held a summit on health care reforms without inviting Royal Colleges and trade unions critical of the Bill, including the RCN.
• RVI denies David Cameron anger claims (20 February 2012)
  The Journal reports that rumours of angry scenes when the Prime Minister visited the RVI last week have been denied by the hospital.
• Hygiene fears over new North East hospital scanners (13 February 2012)
  The Journal reports that electronic hand scanners, which allow hospital staff to verify their identity, have raised concerns over hygiene.
• Cumbrian hospitals trust pays ex-boss £19,000 a month (17 February 2012)
  The News & Star reports that Carole Heatly, former chief executive of North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, is still receiving £19,000 a month despite leaving the Trust last June.
• Cameron urged to drop NHS reforms (11 February 2012)
  The Journal reports on the growing opposition to the Health and Social Care Bill.
• Jobs not at risk in merger plan, say Tees health chiefs (3 February 2012)
  The Evening Gazette reports that South Tees Trust management have said there will be jobs for all staff affected by the proposal to merge the Friarage Hospital's CCU with the MAU.
• Nurses jobs at risk in new shake-up plan at Friarage Hospital, Northallerton (3 February 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports that proposals to merge the Friarage Hospital’s coronary care unit and medical admissions unit would lead to the loss of seven posts – two ward managers and five band-six nurses.
• Calls to rally protest over Northallerton hospital changes (1 February 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports that the Friarage Hospital is considering changes to its medical admissions unit in addition to plans to downgrade the hospital’s inpatient paediatric and maternity unit.

January 2012

• Calls to rally protest over Northallerton hospital changes (1 February 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports that the Friarage Hospital is considering changes to its medical admissions unit in addition to plans to downgrade the hospital’s inpatient paediatric and maternity unit.
• New 111 number is to create 140 jobs (28 January 2012)
  The Journal reports that North East Ambulance Service secured a £45m contract to handle non-emergency medical calls, creating 140 jobs for the region.
• Mum’s worry over maternity service changes (25 January 2012)
  The Evening Gazette features a piece on Middlesbrough mum Debbie Wright, who has hit out at plans to downgrade the maternity and children’s services at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.
• Campaigners brand hospital proposals ‘unacceptable’ (25 January 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports that the National Clinical Advisory Team (NCAT) published a report concluding that the Friarage Hospital’s inpatient paediatric service should be converted to an outpatients-only service.
• Nursing Update with Estephanie Dunn (23 January 2012)
  The Evening Chronicle features a column written by Acting Regional Director, Estephanie Dunn, about the reasons the Royal College of Nursing is opposing the Health and Social Care Bill.
• NHS reforms branded a ‘distraction’ (22 January 2012)
  The Journal reports that health unions, including the Royal College of Nursing, have said the Government's controversial NHS reforms are a ‘distraction’ from confronting the £20 billion budget savings and long-term care for the elderly.
• Unions want public debate on North Cumbria Hospitals (19 January 2012)
  The News and Star reports that health unions have invited interim chief executive Neil Goodwin to debate concerns about north Cumbria’s hospitals at a public forum.
• North Cumbria NHS trust 'squandered money' (18 January 2012)
  BBC News Cumbria reports that a joint statement concerning cuts and patient safety at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, has been made by Trust staff.
• £38,000 hospital staff trip to Sweden criticised (18 January 2012)
  The Northern Echo reports that the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust spent nearly £40,000 on a staff trip to Sweden, despite 700 planned job losses in the trust.
• A pilot scheme for end-of-life support in the comforts of home (18 January 2012)
  The Guardian reports on a scheme on South Tyneside to help terminally ill social housing tenants die with dignity. 

December 2011

• Only five days until Darlington hospital stroke unit closure (14 December 2011)
  The Northern Echo reports on the closure of Darlington Memorial Hospital's stroke unit.
• Crisis hospitals losing £1.2m a month again (13 December 2011)
  The News & Star reports on the financial problems facing North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust.
• Emergencies drop for docs (12 December 2011)
  The News & Star reports that emergency admissions have fallen in north Cumbria.
• Nurses' leader slams Osborne (10 December 2011)
  The Sunderland Echo reports on Acting Regional Director Estephanie Dunn's response to the Chancellor's push for local pay negotiations.
• NHS move fails to ease pensions row (8 December 2011)
  The Evening Chronicle reports that the public sector pensions dispute remains deadlocked despite the Government's offer to improve arrangements for half a million NHS workers.
• NHS whistleblowers' concerns ignored (5 December 2011)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that an RCN survey has shown almost half of whistleblowers' care concerns are ignored.
• No action taken on North East nurses' concerns (5 December 2011)
  The Journal reports on the RCN's whistleblowing survey.
• Nurses 'discouraged' from raising patient safety concerns (5 December 2011)
  The Northern Echo reports on the RCN's whistleblowing survey.
• Government could write off Cumberland Infirmary's debt, says minister (2 December 2011)
  The News & Star reports that Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has said he will consider writing off Cumberland Infirmary's debt.
• North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is praised (2 December 2011)
  The Evening Gazette reports that the Trust was praised in the latest Dr Foster report.
• Unions warning of new Winter of Discontent (1 December 2011)
  The Evening Chronicle reports that unions have said another Winter of Discontent could be on the way, after strikes brought the region to a standstill.
• A river of protestors flowed across the Tyne (1 December 2011)
  The Evening Chronicle reports that 8,500 public sector workers marched from Gateshead to Newcastle in protest over pension changes.
• Public sector strikes see 8,500 march through Gateshead and Newcastle (1 December 2011)
  The Journal reports on the pensions strike march from Gateshead to Newcastle.

November 2011

• Public sector strikes: my view (30 November 2011)
  The Northern Echo speaks to workers from different areas of the public sector about strike action.
• Public sector strikes: the impact on schools and services (30 November 2011)
  The Northern Echo looks at the impact of strike action around the region.
• Nursing staff join public sector strikes over pensions row (30 November 2011)
  The Journal reports that RCN members are not on strike, but support the Day of Action.
• Public sector staff face pay cuts after Chancellor's announcement (30 November 2011)
  The Journal reports that the Chancellor has announced plans to cap public sector wage rises to 1% when the current pay freeze ends.
• Striking Sunderland hospital workers' argument 'not with our employer, it's with the Government' (30 November 2011)
  The Sunderland Echo reports on local nursing staff who are supportive of the strike action.
• Hospital night staffing levels worst in UK (30 November 2011)
  The Shields Gazette reports that according to the latest Dr Foster Hospital Guide, South Tyneside District Hospital has the worst overnight nursing levels for elderly patients in England.
• Royal College of Nursing Northern region labels 'de facto pay cut' provocative (29 November 2011)
  The Cumbria Crack News reports that Regional Director, Glenn Turp, has slammed the Chancellor's 1% pay cap for public sector workers.
• Union raises fears over hospital staff levels in North Cumbria (29 November 2011)
  The News & Star reports that the RCN Northern region has raised concerns about staffing levels at the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.
• How pensions anger found its public voice (28 November 2011)
  The News & Star reports on the forthcoming public sector strike action.
• 'Higher than expected' mortality rates at North and West Cumbria hospitals (28 November 2011)
  The News & Star reports that the Dr Foster report shows Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary and the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven have a higher-than-expected ratio of in-hospital deaths.
• How the public sector strikes will affect you (26 November 2011)
  The Evening Chronicle reports on the forthcoming public sector strikes.
• Doctors' 160 mile run in opposition to health reforms (24 November 2011)
  The Northern Echo reports that two North East consultants have pledged to run 160 miles to rally opposition to controversial Government health reforms.
• Trust chiefs slammed over changes to care (22 November 2011)
  The Northern Echo reports that the RCN Northern region has expressed concerns at potential changes to the Friarage Hospital's critical care and orthopaedic services.
• Nursing leaders warn of 'crisis' (20 November 2011)
  The Journal reports that data from the RCN has found over 56,000 jobs have been axed or face the cut across the UK.
• £40m health cuts challenge (19 November 2011)
  The Hartlepool Mail reports that the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust needs to save £40m over the next three years from its £260m budget.
• Concern for the safety of healthcare workers (18 November 2011)
  The Evening Gazette reports that more than 2,000 healthcare workers on Teesside were the victims of assault at work last year.
• Will hospitals takeover solve the cash crisis? (18 November 2011)
  The News & Star considers whether takeover by another NHS trust will solve the financial problems of North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.
• New hospital is 'answer to the problem' (18 November 2011)
  The Hartlepool Mail reports on the proposed £300m Wynyard Hospital site.
• Cumbria hospitals health boss hits back at safety claim (15 November 2011)
  BBC News Cumbria reports that interim Chief Executive Neil Goodwin has rebuked claims that North Cumbria Hospitals Trust is putting patient safety at risk.
• Nursing boss: Hospital cuts in Cumbria will hit services (14 November 2011)
  The News & Star reports that RCN Regional Director, Glenn Turp, has urged North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust to be 'open, honest and transparent' about how proposals to save cash would affect patient care.
• Concern over Sunderland NHS attacks (13 November 2011)
  The Sunderland Echo reports that there were 85 assaults against Sunderland Royal Hospital staff in 2010/11.
• Shock rise in NHS attacks (13 November 2011)
  The Hartlepool Mail reports that assaults on NHS staff have increased by 75% in the last 12 months.
• Cash crisis at Cumbrian hospitals 'Could have been averted' (12 November 2011)
  The News & Star reports that urgent measures, including ward closures and staff cuts, are being looked at as the Trust tries to tackle a 'financial crisis'.
• Nursing Update with Glenn Turp (7 November 2011)
  Regional Director, Glenn Turp, writes about the 30th November Day of Action, in his column for the Evening Chronicle.
• Ban on nurses' leave on day of action 'draconian' (4 November 2011)
  The Northern Echo reports some hospital trusts across the region are banning all annual leave on the Day of Action.
• Hospital in holiday ban row (4 November 2011)
  The Shields Gazette reports that nursing staff in South Tyneside have had their holidays put on hold as public sector workers prepare for a strike.
• Cuts lead to health scrutiny chief sharing fears for patient care (4 November 2011)
  The Evening Gazette reports that three Teesside hospital trusts must make cuts of £134m in the next three years.
• Teesside hospitals must save £134m over three years (2 November 2011)
  The Evening Gazette reports on the Teesside hospital cuts.
• Cuts to Teesside hospitals - but PFI move is on (2 November 2011)
  The Evening Gazette reports that plans for a new £299m hospital, which could cost £660m over 30 years under a private finance plan, are pressing ahead against the backdrop of cuts to its operating trust.
• Questions raised over Assura Stockton's chlamydia screening process (1 November 2011)
  The Evening Gazette reports that private healthcare company Assura requested staff to take home chlamydia screening packs for friends and family.

October 2011

• Health union quizzes nurses on staff shortages (27 October 2011)
  The Whitehaven News reports that the RCN Northern region is conducting an audit of staff concerns at the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.
• Union worries over NHS contract (22 October 2011)
  The Darlington & Stockton Times reports that some North East GP commissioners have links to private companies bidding to provide NHS services.
• Nurses sick of falling staffing levels (14 October 2011)
  The Shields Gazette reports that the RCN Northern region has raised 'serious concerns' about patient care and staffing levels at South Tyneside District Hospital.
• Cutting 126 staff has not hurt Cumbrian hospitals, claim bosses (5 October 2011)
  The News & Star reports that there were 126 fewer members of staff working across Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital and Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary in August compared to the same month last year.
• Hospital workers' pay cut is 'cost-cutting, pure and simple' (3 October 2011)
  The Northern Echo reports that the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is planning to impose pay cuts on 33 senior health improvement workers.
• Nurses anxious over jobs (2 October 2011)
  Metro North East reports that 15,000 nurses and healthcare assistants expect to be made redundant in the next year, according to a survey by the RCN.