Following the announcement of intensive talks between the UK Government and the Royal College of Nursing, UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA has called for Northern Ireland health workers to be included in any outcome from the discussions.

Alan Chambers said:

“Every effort possible must be made to find a solution to resolve the current industrial action. I really welcome this latest development as it indicates a major shift in approach from the UK Government. At long last they are prepared to engage meaningfully with staff and unions, just as I also welcome the sensible decision from the RCN to pause strike action during the talks. No one benefits from strike action – not staff, not the Government and certainly not patients.

“It’s absolutely essential however that any agreed outcomes from the discussions in the days and weeks ahead also apply to health workers in Northern Ireland. Just because they no longer have a Health Minister at the helm, shouldn’t mean that they are discriminated against. It’s certainly not their fault that there’s currently no functioning Executive."

“The previous deal between Robin Swann and the local health unions in early January 2020 that successfully secured the end of the last industrial dispute had restoring and maintaining pay parity at its core. It’s absolutely essential therefore that the previous commitment to pay parity is maintained.”