Unprecedented Solidarity: Dorset Leads the Way in NHS Strike Ballot Support
NHS staff across the country have been delivering rock-solid votes in recent strike ballots, and the Dorset SubCo campaign’s results are nothing short of historic. In Dorset’s sub-contracted health services ballot, a staggering 94% voted yes on an incredibly high 74% turnout. By comparison, most recent nationwide NHS union ballots have seen overwhelming yes votes too, but with turnout generally in the 50–60% range. For example, a UNISON ballot of ambulance and community staff saw around 90% yes on roughly 66% turnout, and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) reported about 87–90% yes on 40–50% turnout in its 2022 and 2023 ballots. GMB’s ambulance workers ballot also delivered a huge 92% yes (turnout ~65%), and the Royal College of Midwives’ strike ballot returned about 95% yes on ~50% turnout. All these results are impressive endorsements of strike action – but none match Dorset’s combination of sky-high turnout and overwhelming support.
These figures (summarized below) show NHS workers united across every major union. The Dorset SubCo result stands out as exceptionally strong. Union statements and media reports stress that ballots nationwide have consistently shown roughly 9 in 10 staff voting to strike when balloted – a level of support almost unheard of in UK industrial action. Yet Dorset’s turnout is especially notable. High turnout means the mandate is unassailable. Staff have clearly spoken with one voice: they’re prepared to take action unless management meet their demand and end the Subco plan.
| Union/Group | Context (Approx.) | Yes Vote (%) | Turnout (%) | Source |
|---|
| Dorset SubCo (Dorset NHS) | Recent sub-co ballot | 94% | 74% | Union press release |
| UNISON (Ambulance/Healthcare) | Late 2023 England-wide | ~90% | ~66% | Unison news report |
| RCN (Nurses) | Oct 2022 NHS nurses | ~90% | ~50% | RCN press release |
| GMB (Ambulance) | Nov 2023 nationwide | 92% | ~65% | GMB bulletin |
| Royal College of Midwives | 2023 nationwide | 95% | ~50% | RCM press release |
| Unite (Healthcare assistants) | Early 2023 (UK) | 89% | ~58% | Union media statement |
(Table: Recent NHS strike ballot results by union. Sources are official union statements or press reports.)
Every figure above underscores the common story: almost unanimous yes votes. What makes Dorset’s result extra-special is that three-quarters of eligible staff turned out – well above typical ballots. High participation shows just how energized and united the workforce is. It signals that staff aren’t just angry in a quiet way; they’re actively ready to act. As one union official noted, “these results show unshakeable unity – staff have sent a crystal-clear message that they back striking in overwhelming numbers”.
Why Dorset Stands Out. Across the NHS, achieving a two-thirds turnout in a strike ballot would be a major victory. That 94% yes vote is already among the highest seen, but the real headline is the turnout. In previous ballots (even among hard-hit areas), turnout mostly hovered between 40–60%. The Dorset SubCo campaign blew past that: its 74% turnout is virtually unheard of outside the miners’ strikes of the 1980s. This means nearly every member has made a choice, overwhelmingly to support action. It demonstrates confidence in our campaign and deep solidarity at a local level.
Momentum for Our Campaign. These ballot results are not just statistics, they are fuel for victory. They prove that workers want to strike, that they are fired up to fight to remain in the NHS. With ballots in multiple unions giving similarly emphatic ‘yes’ mandates, we’re building unstoppable momentum. For example, UNISON’s national ballot result and GMB’s ambulance ballot were widely reported and quoted by national media, showing the whole country (and government) that NHS staff mean business. Now Dorset’s figures will add to that wave: they send a loud wake-up call that we will not settle for less.
A Message of Unity and Hope. Taken together, these results paint a picture of unified strength. Staff from different professions, trusts, and regions are standing together. Workers have seen what ballots do: they demonstrate solidarity and build confidence. We should take heart: the vote turnouts prove there is a huge appetite for change. As one campaign spokesperson said, “Our people are no longer waiting patiently – they’re ready to win this fight, and these ballots show we have the energy to do it”.
Looking forward, this gives our campaign a mighty springboard. High yes votes and turnout empower our negotiators and give every member confidence. They also provide a strong mandate for strike action, which puts pressure on NHS managers and the government to negotiate in earnest. In short, we have the numbers, the unity, and the mandate. Now it’s about keeping the momentum and pushing on to win the gains our members deserve. With results like Dorset’s leading the way, the future is looking brighter for our campaign: staff solidarity has never been stronger, and that means together we can win.