I cannot believe the government is playing politics with our nurses

It was about this time last year that I recall saying cheerfully to colleagues at work: “Well at least 2022 can’t be any worse!” This year, I am not repeating that mistake.

This year, 2022, has turned out worse than we could have imagined 12 months ago. And, as things stand, I have a strong sense of foreboding about 2023.

In an end-of-year column like this, my natural instinct would normally be to put an optimistic slant on things. Not this time. If we’re not honest about the cycle of dysfunction and decline in which the country is currently trapped, how will we ever break out of it?

To be fair, any Government would have struggled with the enormity of events of recent years. But Britain is suffering more than most. This is partly because we were more exposed going into them; and partly because of a modern trend to play the politics of situations, rather than fixing them. This needs to end with 2022. It is an indulgence we can’t afford.

The Government’s hard-line approach of letting the strikes play out to a point when public opinion turns against the workers would be dangerous in the good times. It is potentially disastrous now. There is no guarantee that the tide will turn any time soon. People can see they have had a rough deal over the last decade. And, having been on the frontline against Covid, the same key workers are now expected to be the frontline against inflation. It’s too much and it’s not fair.

If we go into the Christmas break with no progress on the various pay disputes, I fear for what lies ahead.

January and February are always tough but next year more so due to the cut-backs people are making. Millions will be at risk in their own homes, but potentially unable to get help in an emergency. Do Ministers realise how bad things could be? Forget the winter of discontent; this could be the winter of disarray.

I have been watching this situation come closer and waiting for a change in tone, particularly on NHS pay. Surely a move away from confrontation with nurses and paramedics and towards negotiation would be in the best interests of everyone?

You would think so and my hopes rose last weekend when the RCN and Unison signalled a willingness to call off today’s strikes in exchange for talks. It was the first meaningful move from either side and I will confess to being taken aback when this olive branch was snapped by the Health Secretary.

I am at a loss to understand the policy or political logic. Taking the nurses on in this way risks forcing many out of the profession at a time when we have 50,000 vacancies and a colossal agency bill. The cost of settling the dispute is most likely less than the cost of dealing with the consequences of it.