Nurses holding their second day of strike action shared emotional stories on the picket line outside Bradford Royal Infirmary today.
Wrapped up in winter coats and hats, nurses could be seen holding signs which read 'we saved you, now save our NHS' and 'staff shortages cost lives'.
The Royal College of Nursing is calling for a five per cent above inflation pay rise – but the Government insists the cost would be unaffordable.
But it’s about more than just money for many nurses, it’s about saving the NHS.
Nasima Begum, who has worked in nursing for 10 years, said: “They don’t care, that’s the problem. It’s ok for members of Parliament to get their wage rises but what about us? We’ve been on pay freezes, below inflation, for years. When does it change?”
Nasima said nurses are “rushed off their feet” and added, “Claps don’t pay our bills”.
- Read more: 'We want to ensure the future of the NHS': Bradford nurses on why they're striking
She said: “This isn’t a strike against our trust. It’s against the Government. I love working at Bradford hospitals.”
Sara Miles, who has worked in nursing for 20 years, said: “It’s running on goodwill, it has been for years.”
Describing the emotions of a nurse’s shift, she said: “It’s horrible. I cry an awful lot.
“I feel like we’re taken for granted.”
Charlene Bass-Woodcock, who has spent 20 years as a nurse, said: “Staffing’s always been an issue but it seems to be a lot worse recently.
“The sacrifice, the responsibility. We need to be seen for what we do and be paid as such. This isn’t just about pay.
"This is about making sure we’re getting staff in to make sure the NHS continues – invest in the workforce.”
Another nurse, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I’m so passionate about it now. I never thought in all my years of nursing I would be out on strike.
"During Covid I worked part time six days a week, 10 hour shifts. We got sent to ICU. Can you imagine what it was like? We didn’t know if we were going to see our families.”
Health Secretary Steve Barclay has declined to discuss pay when meeting union officials.
Mr Barclay said he “hugely values the work of our NHS staff” but insisted the RCN’s demands are “unaffordable”.
He described the second round of strike action as “disappointing” and said the Government’s priority is keeping patients as safe as possible.
The Health Secretary said: “The NHS remains open, patients should continue to come forward for emergency and urgent medical care. They should also continue to turn up to appointments unless they have been contacted by the NHS.”
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