The Royal College of Nursing has confirmed most NHS employers have voted to strike over pay levels and patient safety concerns.

Among them is Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust – which provides community-based healthcare services to 1.2 million people in the county. It has been approached for comment.

However, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which includes Watford General Hospital, is not included in the RCN’s list of striking employers. 

A trust spokesperson said: "I can confirm that West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust did not meet the threshold for strike action in the RCN ballot of its members."

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Industrial action is expected to begin before the end of this year and could happen until May next year – within six months of members voting.

Nursing staff were balloted after NHS Agenda for Change pay announcements earlier this year, which the RCN said left experienced nurses 20% worse off in real-terms compared to 10 years earlier.

The Fair Pay for Nursing campaign is calling for a pay rise of 5% above inflation – which currently equates to between 16 and 17% increases.

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