Royal College of Nursing: Nurses reject Government's 5.5% pay rise offer demanding urgent NHS reforms

Around 145,000 nurses participated in the vote, marking the highest turnout in the union's history. The pay award, announced by the Chancellor at the end of July after Labour's general election victory, failed to meet nurses' expectations.

The RCN said this turnout exceeded that of two previous ballots held in 2022 and 2023, the first of which led to six months of strike action. In a letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, RCN General Secretary Professor Nicola Ranger said: "We are witnessing a fundamental shift in the determination of nursing staff to stand up for themselves, their patients, and the NHS they believe in."

While she acknowledged many nurses support the Government's health reforms, she stressed the need for more support. She said: "Nursing staff are the lifeblood of the service. The Government will find our continued support for the reforms key to their success.”

Prof Ranger added: "To raise standards and reform the NHS, you need safe numbers of nursing staff, and they need to feel valued." She pointed out that despite being asked if the pay award was a fair start after years of neglect, nurses' expectations remain higher. "Our members do not yet feel valued, and they are looking for urgent action, not rhetorical commitments."

She highlighted key concerns about "understaffed shifts, poor patient care, and nursing careers trapped at the lowest pay grades," and stressed that nurses want to see real change to improve their profession and patient care.

This announcement comes shortly after junior doctors voted to accept a multi-year pay rise, while other health unions have agreed to the 5.5% deal for 2024/25.