STAFF at Hampshire Hospitals will take part in a ‘peaceful demonstration’ in support of striking nursing colleagues this week.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) announced its first strike action to take place on Thursday, December 15, after the government turned down its offer of formal, detailed negotiations.

As previously reported, Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust (HHFT), which runs Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester hospitals, said its staff will not take part.

READ MORE: Nurses from Hampshire hospitals will not take part in RCN strike action

However, The Staffside at Hampshire Hospitals, which represents seven recognised trade unions at the trust’s hospitals, said staff will instead hold a “peaceful demonstration” in support of the strike, taking place from midday to 2pm on Thursday. 

A statement from The Staffside said: “Members of the RCN and Unison at Hampshire hospitals failed to secure enough votes in their recent pay ballots. The feeling of the workforce on the ground still wanted to give their support to fellow colleagues in hospitals across the United Kingdom.”

Liz Collings, chair of The Staffside, said: “It is a tense time for us all in the NHS with nurses, paramedics all voting to take industrial action so close to Christmas. As we await the result of the Royal College of Midwives any day now, and with the British Medical Association vote open on the 9th of January, it is looking like a very bleak start to 2023.”

Vice chair and secretary Steve Rolfe who is organising the demonstration said: “Health secretary Steve Barclay needs to show some real leadership here as the whole country believes that the government does not care about the National Health Service.”

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The demonstrations will take place at Basingstoke and Winchester hospitals.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive of HHFT, previously told the trust’s board of directors at a meeting in November that the trust is “reviewing business continuity plans” in preparation for possible strike action to “ensure we are able to continue to provide safe patient care”.

The chief executive said the trust is “committed to supporting all of our staff – both those delivering care during this time and those choosing to take part in industrial action”.

Kieron Galloway, chief people officer for HHFT, said: “Although Hampshire hospitals staff who are members of the Royal College of Nursing and Unison did not meet the threshold for strike action, it is recognised that many have strong feelings on the matter.

"As such, our staff side committee, which represents all union activity at the trust, has arranged for a short peaceful demonstration to take place on Thursday to show their support for colleagues nationally.

“This will be held off-site and in staff’s own time. It will have no impact on patient care or any of our services – all of which will be running as normal. Hampshire hospitals continues to work in close partnership with the trade unions representing staff.”