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Stuart Gentle Publisher at Onrec

Employers ask unions for early information to help plan care, as balloting begins

The NHS Employers organisation has told health unions, which began balloting today, that early information will be needed to ensure healthcare is planned as safely as possible during any industrial action

The NHS Employers organisation has told health unions, which began balloting today, that early information will be needed to ensure healthcare is planned as safely as possible during any industrial action.

Dean Royles, chief executive of the NHS Employers organisation, said:

“Unions have now started the ballot. Employers are of course concerned about the impact that any industrial action will have on patient care, especially during winter when NHS services are under greatest pressure.

“We completely understand the frustration and anger of many staff following a prolonged period of pay restraint but patient safety must always be our first priority. We have let the Unions know that, if they are serious about their abiding concern for patient care, they will give employers far more than the statutory minimum of seven days notice of any action so we can introduce appropriate contingency plans.”

Members of the Unite union started voting today on possible industrial action, while Unison, the GMB and the Royal College of Midwives will do so in the coming days.