International Nurses' Day: GMB calls on Nursing and Midwifery Council to support workers
"Registration must not be put at risk if nurses cannot carry out care due to of lack of PPE," says GMB Union
GMB Union has written [1] to the Nursing and Midwifery Council calling on them to support members during the coronavirus pandemic.
On International Nurses Day today [Tuesday May 12] NHS nurses continue to struggle to get access to the PPE they need to keep themselves from deadly covid-19 virus as they care for patients.
Meanwhile nurses and other healthcare workers are being threatened with disciplinary hearings if they speak out about the lack of protection.
GMB calls on the NMC to issue a clear statement of support for any nurse who finds themselves unable to work safely due to a lack of appropriate PPE.
Helen O’Connor, GMB Organiser, said: “Our GMB nurse members are horrified they are being put under pressure to care for Covid-19 patients when they lack the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves from this deadly virus.
"Too many nurses have died because NHS managers and the Government have failed to put measures in place to adequately protect them.
“GMB Union is not prepared to accept a situation where our nurse members have to make a choice between working without PPE or face the sack from the job they love.
“We call on the NMC to issue a clear, unambiguous message of support to nurses - stating their registration will not be taken away if they find themselves in a situation where they cannot carry out a task due to lack of appropriate PPE.”
Media enquiries: GMB Press Office on 07958 156846 or at press.office@gmb.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
[1] Letter available for download on the top right of this page.
