Nicola Sturgeon: Preventing NHS strikes ‘very hard’ but talks will continue
The First Minister and Health Secretary Humza Yousaf addressed the threat of industrial action from health unions.
The First Minister and Health Secretary Humza Yousaf addressed the threat of industrial action from health unions.
Ministers held a series of meetings with union officials in a bid to settle disputes.
Unions across the health, education and transport sectors were meeting ministers on Monday.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak raised hopes on Sunday by saying he was willing to discuss pay with health workers.
Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said ministers ‘never, ever understand that they should learn from their mistakes’.
There is cautious optimism the Government might soften its stance.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay will announce the strategy on Monday as the Government comes under intense pressure to alleviate the crisis in the NHS.
Royal College of Nursing general secretary Pat Cullen will be among the union leaders meeting Steve Barclay for talks on Monday.
Critics said his emergency talks were a ‘talking shop’ that will fail to ease the vast pressure.
Pat Cullen has told the Prime Minister he could get the action in England called off if he takes up her offer to meet half-way.
The Prime Minister held emergency talks on Saturday.
The Prime Minister hosted health leaders including England’s chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty.
The Prime Minister is meeting health experts including Professor Sir Chris Whitty.
But health leaders said the meeting would not be able to reverse ‘years of inaction and managed decline’ in the NHS.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay toured Watford General Hospital on Friday.