A nurses strike “isn’t about nurses being greedy”, says RCN general secretary and chief executive Pat Cullen.

Ms Cullen says the organisation isn’t currently in negotiation with the government, as it “hasn’t engaged”.

“We have made multiple attempts to try and engage with the health secretary,” she says. “The current one, and the previous one that was very short-lived.

“Both of those people have not yet met with the Royal College of Nursing.”

Nurses are asking for five percent above the rate of inflation – equivalent this morning to 14.9%.

She says the government needs to respect nurses: “We deliver nothing in health and social care without having a nurse.”

Ms Cullen – who led the first nurses’ strike in 103 years in late 2019 in Northern Ireland – said staff “won’t just down tools and walk out on patients in need”. 

“I  would say to each person and member of the public listening this morning, our nursing staff – and I am a nurse of forty-two years – will never walk away from you,” she says.

“During that strike in Northern Ireland, we did not walk out on patients.

“We made sure our patients were still cared for.

“And of course, there will be disruption because the clue’s in the title – it is about withdrawal of labour. 

“But we still continue to provide life-preserving services during that time. 

“And there are certain services that we will absolutely never withdraw labour from.”

Among those that won’t be withdrawn are midwives.