NHS strikes in Scotland averted as nursing and midwives unions accept pay deal

NHS strikes in Scotland have been averted after unions representing midwives and nurses voted to accept the Scottish Government’s pay offer. Just over half of Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members voted in the ballot, with 53.4% of those voting to accept the offer equating to an average 6.5% increase in 2023/24. Around half (49%) of members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) voted in the ballot, with 69% voting to accept the deal. The development in Scotland comes after health workers in England - including nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, porters and cleaners - were offered a one-off payment worth 6% of their salary for this financial year by the government last week.

Meanwhile, rail workers of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport union (RMT) in Network Rail also voted to accept a pay offer on Monday.

Colin Poolman, director of RCN Scotland, said: "Our members voted for strike action with a heavy heart.

"Their commitment to standing up for patients and their profession brought the Scottish government back to the table.

"Members have narrowly voted to accept this offer but the Scottish government must be under no illusion, much more is required for nursing staff to feel valued and to ensure Scotland has the nursing workforce it needs."

The RCN on Monday called for an improvement to working conditions across Scotland after a damning report last year showed three-quarters of midwives had considered leaving the profession.

Jaki Lambert, RCM director for Scotland, said: “While pay is crucial, this was also about midwives feeling seen and valued. Improving retention through better working conditions, professional midwifery issues and the wellbeing of staff are also a key component of this.

“Most importantly, it was also about our members standing tall and being prepared to take action to ensure better care for women, babies and their families.”

Last month, Scotland’s Health Secretary Humza Yousaf committed to establish a nursing and midwifery taskforce which will recommend a series of actions to support the retention and development of existing nursing staff and encourage more people to consider a career in nursing.

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