Rishi Sunak confronted by NHS patient on nurses’ pay during hospital visit
Rishi Sunak was confronted by a 77-year-old NHS patient on nurses’ pay during a visit to a hospital in south London.
Catherine Poole, who is recovering from surgery at Croydon University Hospital, said “it’s a pity you don’t pay them more” when asked how the nurses were treating her.
The prime minister insisted “we are trying”, but was given a short lecture from the pensioner.
Sunak responds to criticism over ‘massive failure of leadership’ – latest updates
“No, you are not trying, you need to try harder,” she told him.
Mr Sunak went on to say that the NHS was important. “Yes, and look after it,” Ms Poole replied.
Thousands of nurses across the country are voting on strike action, as healthcare workers call for a pay rise amid soaring inflation.
Research commissioned by the Royal College of Nursing suggested that they are working an extra day a week for no more pay.
The data also suggests their wages have fallen 20% in real terms, based on a five-day week.
The NHS could also be in line for a further tightening of budgets, as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt eyes ways to fill a multi-billion pound fiscal black hole.
Mr Sunak dodged a question about nurses’ pay, when pushed by broadcasters following the exchange.
Asked if he was happy that nurses are not getting a real-terms increase in pay, he said: “It is brilliant to be here at Croydon Hospital, to see the great work of the doctors and nurses here.
“One of the priorities for my government is going to be tackling the COVID backlogs and supporting the NHS.
“We face lots of challenges as a country, but I am confident that we can fix the economy and deliver on the promise of the 2019 manifesto, including having a stronger NHS.”
Mr Sunak received a more positive reaction from other patients.
Rishi Sunak poses for a selfie with patient Sreeja Gopalan.
Pic: AP
At one bed, 46-year-old Sreeja Gopalan told him: “I am waiting to see you.”
“I am proud of you,” she said, as she took a selfie with the prime minister.
The visit came as Downing Street confirmed Mr Sunak has scrapped his pledge to charge people for missing GP appointments.
During the summer Conservative leadership contest, Mr Sunak pledged to introduce a £10 fine.
Among the critics, the British Medical Association (BMA) said the plans would “make matters worse” and threaten the principle of free NHS care at the point of need.
The prime minister wants to deliver a stronger NHS and the “sentiment remains people should not be missing appointments”, according to his spokesperson.
Read More:
Nurses leaving for jobs in shops as they ‘can’t afford to work for NHS’
Higher pay offer for nurses unlikely to be put on the table, health secretary says
But they added: “We have listened to GPs and NHS leaders and agreed now is not the time to take this policy forward.”
As chancellor, Mr Sunak brought in a 1.25% increase in National Insurance to help pay for fixing COVID backlogs in health and social care.
Former prime minister Liz Truss reversed the measure because of the cost of living crisis.
A man’s body has been recovered from an area of flooding in North Yorkshire, police have said, as major incidents have been declared in two counties.
The body was found near Intake Lane in Beal, close to Eggborough and Knottingley.
Police believe the man may have entered the water in the last 24 to 48 hours.
Follow the latest on the weather
North Yorkshire Police said: “Despite extensive enquiries, including with our colleagues in Humberside and West Yorkshire Police, we have been unable to identify him.
“He was found without any identification or personal belongings.”
The man was also described as white, in his early 50s to 60s, with light brown short hair and stubble.
He was wearing brown walking boots, blue denim jeans, a multicoloured knitted jumper and possibly a dark green waterproof coat, police added.
It comes after Leicestershire and Lincolnshire both declared a major incident in response to the extreme weather hitting the UK and Ireland.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue was the first emergency service in England to declare an incident and said it had received more than 200 calls since Monday morning over widespread flooding.
Crews had found cars stuck in floodwater and evacuated residents from flooded homes and rising waters, with some 17 people rescued as of 1.45pm.
The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum declared a major incident shortly after, and noted that emergency services had rescued children who were stranded at a school in Edenham.
Meanwhile, the Met Office has three yellow weather warnings – each for snow and ice – in effect throughout Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Pic: Met Office
A warning covering the west and north coast of Scotland – reaching into Inverness and Aberdeen – will last until midday, while an alert in effect for all of Northern Ireland will last until 11am.
The Met Office has also issued a warning covering Wales and parts of northwest England on Monday evening, moving into southwest England, the Midlands and parts of southern England in the early hours of Tuesday.
On Wednesday, a yellow weather warning for snow is in effect across the south of England – stretching from just above Truro in Cornwall to Canterbury in Kent – from 9am to midnight.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports9 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway