Nurses to march against cuts on the streets of London

Published: 27 September 2012

Nurses and healthcare assistants are set to join colleagues from other trade unions to take part in the TUC’s 'A future that works' march on 20 October.

RCN members will come together to highlight their opposition to the cuts that are currently taking place within the NHS, as well as expressing concern about attacks to national pay and conditions. The RCN’s Frontline First campaign has already identified that 61,000 NHS posts are earmarked to be lost across the UK. The RCN is encouraging as many members as possible to attend the march and demonstrate their concern.

A particularly large turnout is expected from the Southwest region, where a cartel of 20 NHS Trusts are attempting to introduce regional pay, a reduction in annual leave and an increase in working hours.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said:

“Last year’s march showed the depth of anger about the public sector cuts that are taking places and I was immensely proud that so many members turned out to march together.

“However, since then, the post and service losses have not stopped. They have escalated and we now know that more than 60,000 posts have either gone or are set to be axed, seriously jeopardising patient care. The march is a visible and tangible way for our members to register their serious concerns.

“We are encouraging as many members as possible to join us in London and show the Government the depth of our concern about what is happening to the NHS.”

Members wishing to take can register their interest here.

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 Notes to Editors

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Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world.  The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.