Members were protesting the treatment they received from their former employer, who failed to consult with them in a clear, transparent, and meaningful way about the closure.  Despite discussions about the closure taking place long before the official announcement, staff were kept in the dark and denied a meaningful voice in the process.

As a result, many RCN London members now face the prospect of being jobless in the New Year.

Nuffield Health informed staff of its decision to close the facility in October 2025. From that point on, the organisation embarked on what staff described as a flawed and disingenuous consultation process, leaving many feeling unsupported at a time of significant personal risk.

RCN London believes it has a standing recognition agreement with Nuffield Health; however, the employer disputes this. A recognition agreement is a formal framework that sets out how an employer and a trade union will work together on issues of mutual interest, such as consultations on organisational change and redundancies.  Disputing the Recognition Agreement is yet another example of Nuffield Health’s failure to engage in good faith and an attempt to restrict RCN London’s ability to support members during key meetings with senior management. Despite this, RCN London has provided ongoing advice and support throughout the process, including assisting members in submitting a collective grievance.

In the grievance submitted to Nuffield Health, RCN London members highlighted:

• inconsistencies in the consultation process, which left some staff feeling anxious, suffering panic attacks, and reporting a deterioration in their physical health
• the failure to prevent detriment to staff, including redundancies as Nuffield Health did not support RCN members to seek suitable alternative employment
• the failure to provide additional support and advice to staff on sponsored visas, and the potential impact on their immigration status
• inadequate wellbeing and emotional support offered through Nuffield Health’s Employee Assistance Programme
• disruption to courses and apprenticeships, which staff were encouraged to undertake, but were subsequently rendered incomplete due to the closure.

“The way Nuffield Health has treated us is simply appalling,” said Daniela Lopes, a former staff member who attended today’s demonstration.

“Throughout the consultation process, staff engaged in good faith, asking fair and reasonable questions, seeking clarity, and trying to understand what support we could expect. But it felt like Nuffield Health did not want to listen. They rushed the consultation, shut down our concerns, and did not value us.

“Now many of my former colleagues are in an insecure financial situation and face the prospect of being unemployed in the New Year.

“We’re demonstrating today to take a stand and show that the nursing voice will not be ignored. Nursing staff can’t be applauded in one breath and dismissed in the next. We want Nuffield Health to take accountability for their behaviour and acknowledge that they have failed us.”

RCN London Senior Officer Cait Donnelly, who has supported members throughout the process, said: “Our members have shown incredible resilience in the face of an employer who ultimately failed to protect their staff, instead prioritising cost-saving measures over care and respect for their employees.”

“At every stage, RCN London sought to work in partnership to find a meaningful resolution for our members. But from the outset, Nuffield Health chose to sideline us, as demonstrated by their decision to deny our long-standing recognition agreement.”

RCN London is fully committed to supporting affected members who worked at Nuffield Health’s St Bartholomew’s facility. If you need additional support, please contact RCN Direct.