Forcing medical staff to work during strikes could harm care, NHS Providers says
Forcing some medical staff to work through industrial action under new anti-strike laws could end up harming patient care, hospital trust leaders have said, as ministers claimed their new measures would keep public services running over Christmas.
NHS Providers, which represents hospital, mental health and ambulance trusts, said there was a significant risk it would damage relationships between staff and employers that are already very challenged, in a way that could affect patients.
In a submission to the consultation on minimum service levels in hospitals, it said: “Our key concern is that rather than strengthening services as intended, the legislation proposed would worsen relationships between employers and staff, and between trusts and local union representatives to the longer-term detriment of patient care.”
Source: The Guardian, 17 November 2023