NURSES in Cornwall who are members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will not be taking part in December's industrial strike action, according to the RCN.

The announcement comes as the largest nursing strike in history takes place today, with another planned for December 20. 

The Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske in Truro confirmed to The Packet that none of its nurses would be taking part in industrial action throughout December alongside Royal College of Nursing members from other parts of the country.

In a statement published on its website, the Royal Cornwall Hospital said: "Royal College of Nursing members at the Royal Cornwall, West Cornwall and St Michael’s hospitals are not taking part in planned strike action on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 20 December 2022.

"The industrial action is a national dispute between the Government and Trades Unions about terms and conditions of employment."

NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly made a similar announcement yesterday, saying: "As you may know, planned industrial action has been announced by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 20 December.

"RCN members at the Royal Cornwall, West Cornwall in Penzance, St Michael’s in Hayle, and Cornwall’s community hospitals and services are not taking part in planned strike action on those dates.

"However, the planned action may affect NHS providers across Devon.

"All trusts are committed to keeping disruption to their services to a minimum on these dates and have measures in place to ensure the safety and welfare of their patients and staff.

"Industrial action is a national dispute between the Government and Trade Unions about terms and conditions of employment."

Speaking ahead of the first strike day by the Royal College of Nursing, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:

“Nurses are not relishing this, we are acting with a very heavy heart. It has been a difficult decision taken by hundreds of thousands who begin to remove their labour from tomorrow in a bid to be heard, recognised and valued.

“It is a tragic first for nursing, the RCN and the NHS. Nursing staff on picket lines is a sign of failure on the part of governments.

“Our commitment to patients and safe care means that vital services are kept running. The scaremongering we have seen did upset some but also demonstrated the disrespect afforded to nurses for raising their voice.

"My plea to patients tonight is to know that this strike is for you too – it’s about waiting lists, treatments that are cancelled year-round and the very future of the NHS.”