The action, which was a “difficult decision,” has led to picket lines being set up and Christmas Day-style service being implemented in many hospitals, but nurses say they are not enjoying it. The action, which was a “difficult decision,” has picket lines set up and Christmas Day-style service implemented in many hospitals, but nurses say they are not enjoying it.
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, tens of thousands of nurses have walked out in protest for the first time in a century.
The attempt to secure above-inflation pay increases has moved forward as a result of the failure of negotiations to avert it.
Thousands of NHS appointments and operations have been cancelled, and picket lines are set up at numerous hospitals. The health system is currently operating like a bank holiday-style service in many areas.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has said it will still staff chemotherapy, emergency cancer services, dialysis, critical care units, neonatal and paediatric intensive care.
Some areas of mental health and learning disability and autism services are also exempt from the strike, while trusts have been told they can request staffing for specific clinical needs.
When it comes to adult A&E and urgent care, nurses will work Christmas Day-style rotas.
Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said agency NHS trusts were “pulling out all the stops” to lessen the impact on patients.
She said: “But it’s inevitable that some operations or appointments will have to be rescheduled, and trusts are pulling out all the stops to minimise disruption.
Source: SkyNews.com