HUNDREDS of thousands of NHS nurses in England and Wales are to be balloted on strike action over pay in a “defining moment” for their profession.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has rejected a proposed wage increase that it said would have cut nurses’ real-term pay by more than £1,000 a year.

The union, which branded the offer “a national disgrace,” is seeking a rise of 16.8 per cent, which equates to the retail price index rate of inflation plus 5 per cent.

It wants the increase to be fully funded, not paid for through cuts to other parts of the NHS.

With almost 50,000 nursing vacancies in the health services, nurses also say that staff shortages are putting patients’ lives at risk.

The ballot of the almost 465,000 RCN members opens on September 15 and runs for four weeks.

The union has also increased the reserves in its strike fund from £35 million to £50m and will provide financial support for nurses during any strike action.

RCN members in Scotland and the north of Ireland have their own negotiations but have also rejected real-terms pay cuts.

The union said that government ministers’ refusal to listen to the profession had left it with “no choice but to consider industrial action.”  

RCN general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen said: “Nursing staff will stop at nothing to protect their patients.  

“Staff shortages are putting patient safety at risk and the government’s failure to listen has left us with no choice but to advocate strike action.  

“A lifetime of service must never mean a lifetime of poverty. Ministers’ refusal to recognise the skill and responsibility of the job is pushing people out of the profession.  

“The next prime minister must change course urgently.”  

RCN council chairwoman Carol Popplestone said in a message to members: “After years of underpayment and staff shortages, the fight for fair pay must strengthen.

“This year’s pay award does not help you with the rising cost of living. It will do nothing to help to recruit or retain more nursing staff where you work and will not keep patients safe.”

She urged members to take part in the ballot, saying that it was “essential to turning the tide on low pay.”