The staff will ensure life-preserving care continues during the 12-hour strike under trade union laws.

“For many of us, this is our first time striking and our emotions are really mixed. The NHS is in crisis, the nursing profession can’t take any more, our loved ones are already suffering. It is not unreasonable to demand better. This is not something that can wait,” said Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing [RCN].

“We are committed to our patients and always will be,” Cullen said and added: “We’re campaigning for a pay rise to overcome years of real-terms pay cuts and to protect patient safety by allowing the NHS to recruit and retain the nursing staff it desperately needs.” (ILKHA)