The United Kingdom’s government, on Monday (April 24) said that it was applying for a court order to stop a part of the nurses’ strike in England. As the UK Health Secretary, who has seemingly given up on halting the industrial action altogether, has now moved to stop a part of it.&nbsp;

The RCN strike

Nurses across the UK are set to strike starting April 30 evening till May 2. This comes days after&nbsp;the members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) rejected the five per cent offer by the government to end their industrial action.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the state-run National Health Service (NHS) has criticised the RCN for not granting any exemptions from this walkout for key areas of care like the intensive care and maternity services after doing so during the six previous strikes in December, January and February.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-ministers-apply-to-high-court-to-stop-part-of-nurses-strike-in-england-585950">UK: Ministers apply to high court to stop part of nurses’ strike in England</a>

The RCN plans to re-ballot its members next month for further strikes which the head of the union has warned can go on till Christmas if they are not given a higher pay. The strikes are scheduled to run from 8:00 pm (local time) on Sunday 30 April to 8:00 pm on Tuesday 2 May.

UK government calls the strike ‘unlawful’

The British Health Secretary Steve Barclay said that the application to the high court was being sent after a request from NHS Employers, which represents hospital groups in England and Wales who have deemed the planned strike on May 2 “unlawful”.&nbsp;

“Despite attempts by my officials to resolve the situation over the weekend, I have been left with no choice but to proceed with legal action. I firmly support the right to take industrial action within the law,” adding that the government “cannot stand by and let a plainly unlawful strike action go ahead nor ignore the request of NHS Employers.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-23000-schools-across-uk-to-be-affected-as-teacher-announce-a-strike-heres-all-you-need-to-know-553439">Explained: 23,000 schools across UK to be affected as teachers announce strike. Here's all you need to know</a>

“We must also protect nurses by ensuring they are not asked to take part in an unlawful strike,” said the UK health minister. The government’s application will reportedly rely on legislation that stipulates unions have six months from the initial vote for strike action to walk out and&nbsp;has also maintained that RCN’s lawful ballot mandate ends at 11:59 pm on May 1.

How has the RCN responded?

The RCN has previously accused NHS Employers of “seeking to discredit” the action on May 2 and warned about “strongly” resisting the application for “injunctive relief from any or all NHS employers.” In a recent interview, RCN’s general secretary, Pat Cullen said that the government’s “threat” and “wrong and indefensible,” as quoted by The Guardian.&nbsp;

She added, “The only way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them…including in court.” This comes as the union also contests the government in a hearing which is expected to take place in the next couple of days. The RCN’s chief also criticised the health minister for deploying a “draconian anti-trade union legislation”.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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The United Kingdom’s government, on Monday (April 24) said that it was applying for a court order to stop a part of the nurses’ strike in England. As the UK Health Secretary, who has seemingly given up on halting the industrial action altogether, has now moved to stop a part of it.

The United Kingdom’s government, on Monday (April 24) said that it was applying for a court order to stop a part of the nurses’ strike in England. As the UK Health Secretary, who has seemingly given up on halting the industrial action altogether, has now moved to stop a part of it. The RCN strike Nurses across the UK are set to strike starting April 30 evening till May 2. This comes days after the members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) rejected the five per cent offer by the government to end their industrial action. Meanwhile, the state-run National Health Service (NHS) has criticised the RCN for not granting any exemptions from this walkout for key areas of care like the intensive care and maternity services after doing so during the six previous strikes in December, January and February. ALSO WATCH | UK: Ministers apply to high court to stop part of nurses’ strike in England The RCN plans to re-ballot its members next month for further strikes which the head of the union has warned can go on till Christmas if they are not given a higher pay. The strikes are scheduled to run from 8:00 pm (local time) on Sunday 30 April to 8:00 pm on Tuesday 2 May. UK government calls the strike ‘unlawful’ The British Health Secretary Steve Barclay said that the application to the high court was being sent after a request from NHS Employers, which represents hospital groups in England and Wales who have deemed the planned strike on May 2 “unlawful”. “Despite attempts by my officials to resolve the situation over the weekend, I have been left with no choice but to proceed with legal action. I firmly support the right to take industrial action within the law,” adding that the government “cannot stand by and let a plainly unlawful strike action go ahead nor ignore the request of NHS Employers.” ALSO READ | Explained: 23,000 schools across UK to be affected as teachers announce strike. Here's all you need to know “We must also protect nurses by ensuring they are not asked to take part in an unlawful strike,” said the UK health minister. The government’s application will reportedly rely on legislation that stipulates unions have six months from the initial vote for strike action to walk out and has also maintained that RCN’s lawful ballot mandate ends at 11:59 pm on May 1. How has the RCN responded? The RCN has previously accused NHS Employers of “seeking to discredit” the action on May 2 and warned about “strongly” resisting the application for “injunctive relief from any or all NHS employers.” In a recent interview, RCN’s general secretary, Pat Cullen said that the government’s “threat” and “wrong and indefensible,” as quoted by The Guardian. She added, “The only way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them…including in court.” This comes as the union also contests the government in a hearing which is expected to take place in the next couple of days. The RCN’s chief also criticised the health minister for deploying a “draconian anti-trade union legislation”. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK government seeks high court order to halt part of ‘unlawful’ nurses’ strike

After learning that thousands of nurses may strike before Christmas, UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared that the salary demands of the nurses' union are unaffordable.&nbsp;The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the union representing British nurses, announced on Friday that the nurses would go on strike on December 15 and 20 in order to demand higher pay. This strike action would add to a winter of industrial action and increase pressure on the government-run healthcare system, said a report in Independent.

''What the unions are asking for, I think, is a 19% pay rise and I think most people watching will recognise that that's obviously unaffordable,''&nbsp;Sunak&nbsp;said while visiting a doctor's surgery in Darlington.

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The strikes will put more pressure on Sunak as Britain struggles with a cost-of-living problem and an impending economic slump, with inflation hitting a 41-year high of 11.1 per cent&nbsp;in October.

The NHS, which has offered free healthcare at the point of use since 1948, is currently juggling a record seven&nbsp;million patients on hospital waiting lists. The emergency and accident rooms are similarly overworked. 
 
In a dramatic escalation of the wage dispute raging throughout the NHS, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) declared on Friday that its members will hold their first nationwide strike on December 15 and 20.

WION Dispatch: UK students may face ban if not admitted to top universities, says report

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In order to prevent a walkout, RCN general secretary Pat Cullen has encouraged Health Secretary Steve Barclay to "stop the spin and start to communicate" with nurses.

As the health system gets ready for the expected postponement of thousands of procedures and appointments next month, information will shortly be released on which areas within the NHS will be spared from strike action.

On strike days, "life-preserving" and "emergency-type care" services will be provided, according to a nursing chief, who declined to provide specifics on which departments would be filled if coworkers staged a walkout. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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After learning that thousands of nurses may strike before Christmas, UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared that the salary demands of the nurses' union are unaffordable.

After learning that thousands of nurses may strike before Christmas, UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared that the salary demands of the nurses' union are unaffordable. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the union representing British nurses, announced on Friday that the nurses would go on strike on December 15 and 20 in order to demand higher pay. This strike action would add to a winter of industrial action and increase pressure on the government-run healthcare system, said a report in Independent. ''What the unions are asking for, I think, is a 19% pay rise and I think most people watching will recognise that that's obviously unaffordable,'' Sunak said while visiting a doctor's surgery in Darlington. Also read | UK PM Rishi Sunak faces fresh Tory rebellion from Boris Johnson, Liz Truss The strikes will put more pressure on Sunak as Britain struggles with a cost-of-living problem and an impending economic slump, with inflation hitting a 41-year high of 11.1 per cent in October. The NHS, which has offered free healthcare at the point of use since 1948, is currently juggling a record seven million patients on hospital waiting lists. The emergency and accident rooms are similarly overworked. In a dramatic escalation of the wage dispute raging throughout the NHS, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) declared on Friday that its members will hold their first nationwide strike on December 15 and 20. WION Dispatch: UK students may face ban if not admitted to top universities, says report In order to prevent a walkout, RCN general secretary Pat Cullen has encouraged Health Secretary Steve Barclay to "stop the spin and start to communicate" with nurses. As the health system gets ready for the expected postponement of thousands of procedures and appointments next month, information will shortly be released on which areas within the NHS will be spared from strike action. On strike days, "life-preserving" and "emergency-type care" services will be provided, according to a nursing chief, who declined to provide specifics on which departments would be filled if coworkers staged a walkout. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Rishi Sunak says nurses' demand for 19 per cent pay hike 'obviously unaffordable'

Conservative MP and junior health minister of UK, &nbsp;Nadine Dorries on Tuesday said that she has been tested positive for coronavirus.

Dorries has taken all the advised precautions and has been self-isolating at home.

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"I can confirm I have tested positive for coronavirus... and have been self-isolating at home," said the Conservative MP.

In pics:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/online-bullying-stigmatisation-hits-coronavirus-patients-in-south-korea-285477">&nbsp;Online bullying, stigmatisation hits coronavirus patients in South Korea</a>

“Public Health England has started detailed contact tracing and the department and my parliamentary office are closely following their advice,” Nadine Dorries said.

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On Tuesday, the sixth person has died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, with the number of confirmed cases rising to 382.

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Matt Hancock, Britain’s health minister also tweeted that he was “really sorry” to hear of Dorries’ diagnosis.&nbsp;

"Really sorry to hear Nadine has tested positive for coronavirus. She has done the right thing by self isolating at home, and both NHS and PHE staff have been brilliant. We all wish her well as she recovers.I understand why people are worried about this disease. We will do all we can to keep people safe, based on the best possible science,” he said.

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1/2: Really sorry to hear Nadine has tested positive for coronavirus. She has done the right thing by self isolating at home, and both NHS and PHE staff have been brilliant. We all wish her well as she recovers.
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Conservative MP and junior health minister of UK, Nadine Dorries on Tuesday said that she has been tested positive for coronavirus. Dorries has taken all the advised precautions and has been self-isolating at home.

Conservative MP and junior health minister of UK, Nadine Dorries on Tuesday said that she has been tested positive for coronavirus. Dorries has taken all the advised precautions and has been self-isolating at home. Also read: US President Trump to announce 'major' steps to aid US economy amid coronavirus fear "I can confirm I have tested positive for coronavirus... and have been self-isolating at home," said the Conservative MP. In pics: Online bullying, stigmatisation hits coronavirus patients in South Korea “Public Health England has started detailed contact tracing and the department and my parliamentary office are closely following their advice,” Nadine Dorries said. Also read: Italy on lockdown as coronavirus death toll crosses 1,000 outside China On Tuesday, the sixth person has died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, with the number of confirmed cases rising to 382. Also read: Coronavirus basically curbed in Hubei province, says President Xi during visit to Wuhan Matt Hancock, Britain’s health minister also tweeted that he was “really sorry” to hear of Dorries’ diagnosis. "Really sorry to hear Nadine has tested positive for coronavirus. She has done the right thing by self isolating at home, and both NHS and PHE staff have been brilliant. We all wish her well as she recovers.I understand why people are worried about this disease. We will do all we can to keep people safe, based on the best possible science,” he said. 1/2: Really sorry to hear Nadine has tested positive for coronavirus. She has done the right thing by self isolating at home, and both NHS and PHE staff have been brilliant. We all wish her well as she recovers. — Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) March 10, 2020 ×

British health minister Nadine Dorries tests positive for coronavirus

Health minister and Conservative MP Nadine Dorries has been diagnosed with coronavirus, raising pressure to tighten access to parliament as authorities ramp up preparations in anticipation of “many thousands” of cases at the epidemic’s peak. Watch report: