A Bradford nurse has revealed why she’s joining the NHS picket line in a historic dispute over pay.

Hundreds of nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are holding strike action for first time in the NHS’ 106-year history.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is calling for a pay rise worth five per cent above the inflation rise – but the Government says the request is unaffordable.

The nurse, who works at Bradford Royal Infirmary, told how newly qualified healthcare workers have been left in tears or handing in resignations after difficult shifts.

It’s more than a pay rise, she says, it’s about creating a “safe working environment”.

She said nurses are often trying to do three job roles at once and struggle to take breaks.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, the nurse said: “This strike has been long overdue. Getting through Covid, many nurses realised the stress and pressure was too much for them.

“Nurses who I qualified with are now working privately or in the community, and this is less than three years into starting.

“For me this strike is all about needing a safe working environment - staff are constantly being moved to other wards that are also short. You are often trying to do three job roles at once and it leaves you feeling exhausted.

“My role and responsibilities are endless. It can often be two staff to 12 patients.”

The nurse said: “The government are going to have to do something drastic.

“I know many nurses unhappy with how much responsibility and pressure they have and the pay check just does not reflect this. I would like to see the government work a day in the life of a nurse and then argue what we should be paid. I don't think anyone understands the expectations of a nurse and why we are so unhappy.

“Other colleagues I work with have been very torn. The last thing we want to do is put patients at risk due to short staffing. But this is something we deal with every single day. If we keep quiet about it, it will just stay the same.

“It’s causing friction between staff and frustration from patients. All that will happen is staff members will continue to leave, it’s going to spiral into something that is unmanageable and the NHS won't be sustainable anymore.

“We need something to change.”

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT) referred the T&A to NHS England when approached for comment on the nurse's claims, which referred the T&A to the Department for Health and Social Care.

In response, health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said: “Our nurses are incredibly dedicated to their job and it is deeply regrettable some union members are going ahead with strike action. 

“My number one priority is to keep patients safe – I’ve been working across government and with medics outside the public sector to ensure safe staffing levels - but I do remain concerned about the risk that strikes pose to patients.

"Nevertheless, the NHS is open and patients should continue to seek urgent medical care - and attend appointments, unless they’ve been contacted by the NHS. 

“These are challenging times but we have accepted the recommendations of the independent NHS Pay Review Body in full to give nurses a pay rise of at least £1,400 – on top of a 3 per cent pay rise last year when wider public sector pay was frozen.

"Further pay increases would mean taking money away from frontline services at a time when we are tackling record waiting lists as a result of the pandemic.”

What the nurse strike action means for hospital care

BTHFT said hospitals will be prioritising emergency care during strike action on Thursday, December 15, and Tuesday, December 20.

Sajid Azeb, chief operating officer and deputy chief executive, said: “Unfortunately this will have an impact on some of our service areas, wherever possible we have switched outpatient appointments to telephone or video appointments.

“If patients have not been contacted, they should attend their appointments as normal. We have been contacting patients whose appointments are impacted due to strike action. We will be re-arranging any postponed appointments as a priority.

“We understand this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“During strike action, urgent and emergency treatment will be our priority.

“Regardless of any action taking place, it is important patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

“We have been working tirelessly to minimise the disruption to our services and our aim is to seek support to deliver as much urgent outpatient, diagnostics and treatments, including cancer care, as possible. Through engagement, which is continuing, with the RCN we have agreed derogations: these are exemptions, either of an individual or a whole service, from taking part in strike actions.

“We value our colleagues and want to see a resolution as soon as possible to the national industrial action."

On days where there is strike action, patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency. This includes when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. 

Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS 111 online or the 111 line.

GP appointments and mental wellbeing services and support will run as normal, so people should come forward if required to use these.

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