Today marks the second consecutive day of striking by NHS nurses.
Hundreds of nurses and other NHS staff have been gathering outside Royal Bournemouth Hospital in a dispute over a pay rise and better working conditions.
It was cold outside, but that was never going to stop the brave NHS staff.
Today marks the first time that Dorset nurses have gone on strike.
A large number of individuals from different wards and backgrounds uniting to fight the issue is nothing short of heartwarming.
Over the last two days, they have stood outside the hospital for a total of 24 hours, striking 7:30am-7:30pm on both days.
Strike supervisor and NHS nurse Rory Fletcher spoke passionately on todays strikes saying:
This is history in the making.”
“If we can negotiate a better deal, then these strikes wont be going ahead, but we will not give up the fight.”
NHS nurses and staff were out in full voice at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. This is the second straight day of nurse strikes.#Bournemouth #Dorset #nhs pic.twitter.com/8h053h4Ns0
— Buzz News (@buzz_bmth) January 19, 2023
Also on the picket line is Dr Nicola Ashby, the deputy director for the Royal College of Nursing.
She says:
“This is all about the nurses. Raising awareness of the needs of the nurses. We shouldn’t be out here at all The government should be listening. We don’t want to be out here, we need to be inside delivering care.”
Nicola Ashby also thanked all members of the Royal Bournemouth hospital for standing out for 12 hours and also thanked the public for showing “incredible” support today and the fight for a rise is far from over.
The strikes are expected continue on the 6th&7th February where ambulance staff will unite with nurse’s in a joined strike as they continue their dispute over pay.
This will be another moment of history if an agreement cannot be reached in time with the government.
The Department of Health have gone on record saying:
“Patients will understandably be worried by the prospect of further strike action by nurses.”
“The previous two days of nurse strikes saw around 30,000 elective procedures and outpatient appointments cancelled. It is inevitable industrial action will have an impact on patients.”
Along with pay, NHS workers have demanded their working conditions improve as well.
Nurse Janet O’Donell said:
“Its not just all about the money, we are doing this for better conditions as well, the nurses truly deserve it and as a group it is great we have all united.”
It may not be until the start of the new financial year until there is a change in pay.
Some workers have realised that but are still not happy that it has taken so long for something to be done.
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