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Theresa May has been accused of disrespecting nurses by missing their annual conference

Prime Minister declined an invitation to speak at the Royal College of Nursing event

THERESA May has been accused of disrespecting nurses by refusing to attend their annual conference.

The Prime Minister declined an invitation to speak at the Royal College of Nursing event in Liverpool – and failed to send anyone in her place.

Theresa May has come under fire for refusing invitation to speak at the Royal College of nursing
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Theresa May has come under fire for refusing invitation to speak at the Royal College of nursingCredit: Getty Images

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron addressed the annual congress on Monday.

Mrs May’s office said in a letter: “I am afraid that it will not be possible for the Prime Minister to attend the Royal College of Nursing congress this year, but please do accept her best wishes for a successful event.

“Britain’s nurses do a fantastic job and deserve our thanks and support.”

PM sits in lesson at Nishkam Primary School which made it onto the campaign trail
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PM sits in lesson at Nishkam Primary School which made it onto the campaign trailCredit: PA:Press Association
Mrs May also found time to speak to employees at a Screwfix distribution centre in Stoke On Trent
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Mrs May also found time to speak to employees at a Screwfix distribution centre in Stoke On TrentCredit: EPA
Prime Minister addresses Screwfix workers as part of an attack on former Labour strongholds
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Prime Minister addresses Screwfix workers as part of an attack on former Labour strongholdsCredit: EPA

But RCN general secretary Janet Davies wrote back, saying the union was “extremely dissatisfied” with her response.

She wrote: “Our members are disappointed and saddened, and feel disrespected by the Prime Minister.

“Nurses were keen to hear from the Prime Minister personally about her plans to alleviate the difficult, and sometimes impossible situation, in which they are working.

“Whilst we are pleased the Prime Minister states that she recognises the value of nursing, this does not reassure us, and feels like empty platitudes when we see no real action being taken to improve the lives of both patients and nurses.

Jeremy Corbyn speaks at the Royal College of Nursing AGM in Liverpool
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Jeremy Corbyn speaks at the Royal College of Nursing AGM in LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
Labour leader accepted the invitation that Theresa May refused
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Labour leader accepted the invitation that Theresa May refusedCredit: Reuters

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Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron also addressed the conference
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Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron also addressed the conferenceCredit: Reuters
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Tim Farron recently pledged NHS cash boost funded by tax hikesCredit: PA:Press Association

“This week, our members have spoken passionately about their own personal experiences, working both with insufficient resources to do their job safely and effectively, and insufficient resources to live their lives well, pay their bills and care for their families, or even travel to work to do the job they love so much.”

The RCN, which has 270,000 members, has warned that low levels of pay are responsible for tens of thousands of unfilled posts.

Ms Davies pointed out that RCN members had taken the “unprecedented” step of backing a summer of protests over the government cap on their pay.

Mr Corbyn receives a standing ovation after his keynote address
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Mr Corbyn receives a standing ovation after his keynote addressCredit: Getty Images
Hard left leader poses for a selfie with a nurse in the audience
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 Hard left leader poses for a selfie with a nurse in the audienceCredit: Getty Images

They will now ballot members on strikes after the general election if the government does not scrap the 1 per cent cap on pay rises.

It could lead to the first nursing walkout in the history of the NHS.

Ms Davies added: “Many never thought it would come to this and are now looking for guarantees that this Government will listen and act on the voice of nurses who keep our NHS going in the most difficult times.”

Delegates at the conference gave a huge round of applause to Ms Davies when she read out the letter.

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