NHS nurses braved freezing temperatures and blizzard conditions across Tyneside on Thursday in the first Royal College of Nursing (RCN) strikes in more than a century.
Walkouts took place at Newcastle's Freeman and Royal Victoria Infirmary hospitals, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington and North Tyneside and Hexham general hospitals. Hundreds of nurses took to the picket lines as part of the ongoing pay dispute the RCN has with the Government.
Across the region, nurses emphasised that the walk-out was not just about pay - but about ensuring "safe staffing and safe patient care" for those using the NHS. The RCN are calling for a pay rise of 5% above inflation, though it has indicated it would accept a lower offer - the Government offer remains that nurses should get a pay rise of around £1,400.
Read more: Nurses' strike - Newcastle Hospital's advice for RVI or Freeman hospital patients
Politicians including North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll and Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah also showed support this morning - adding their voices to national support from figures including England's chief nursing officer Dame Ruth May.
Alison, a picket supervisor and nurse on the line outside of the RVI, told ChronicleLive she and nurses alongside her were conflicted, but determined to push for change. She said: "Of course, like most people here on this line, I'm really split about being here. There's a huge dissonance for us - this isn't what we want to be doing.
"But it comes as the NHS has been pushed to the brink and we are in real danger of falling off the cliff. People need to listen to what we are saying here. Patient safety is the most important thing."
Stacey - another RVI nurse - added that she had seen nursing shortages have a real impact on her job, with stagnant pay seen as a big part of the staffing crisis hitting the NHS. "This isn't just about pay. It's about safe staffing, safe patient care, this is about mams, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents and children. It's about protecting families," she said.
Vivianne Dove, a senior officer with the RCN joined the picket at the RVI. She said: "It's absolutely amazing. It's great to see so many staff here. No-one wants to be here though, the only reason we are here is for our patients."
"It's so important. I'm sad that it's come to this but I am doing this as I feel there's no other way to get the government to listen."
During the morning, Chi Onwurah tweeted: "Nurses striking in Newcastle is a badge of shame for this government. Rishi Sunak should be negotiating with the nurses for a fair pay rise. Instead, he’s playing the blame game for the problems his government has caused."
The mood was similar in Gateshead and in Northumberland - with passing drivers and other members of the NHS workforce showing support. Members of the public spent the day delivering hot drinks and snacks to nurses on the picket lines.
At NSECH, picket supervisors Bethany Tulloch and Sophie Pound highlighted the camaraderie they had experienced during a day of blizzards - and were hopeful that the strike action would see a positive outcome. Bethany said: "None of us wanted this to be honest, but this feels positive and we hope we will bring about change. We are really desperate to see this have a positive impact."
Sophie added also supervising in Cramlington, added: "The turnout here has been great and we know that the staffing remains in place to protect the public."
Former Blyth MP Ronnie Campbell also offered support to striking nurses on the line in Cramlington. He told ChronicleLive: "It's all about supporting the workers. In our hearts that's what it is.
"What do the Government and MPs expect when people in industries like the health service have suffered through 12 years of austerity?"
And in Gateshead, at the QE veteran A&E nurse Gillian was outspoken about the problems not looking after nursing staff led to. She said: "Nurses are all speaking out about safety. That's what it is - speaking out about the things that are happening in our NHS.
"The long A&E waits, long waits for an ambulance, low staffing numbers. It's about the underfunding of the NHS for many years - now it's almost too late. It's too late for a knee-jerk reaction, people are waiting 20 hours for a bed in A&E.
"The politicians are not doing enough. The trusts do what they can but it's out of their hands."
In a statement, an NHS England spokesperson said: "The NHS is working hard to keep patients safe during strikes, while delivering the best care possible, and patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to reschedule. Nobody should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strikes, with key services continuing to operate."
Health minister Maria Caulfield said around 70,000 appointments, procedures and surgeries would be lost in England due to the strike. During the day, Downing Street has said there are “no plans” to look again at the pay deal for nurses who are staging their biggest ever strike in the history of the NHS.
Both Number 10 and Health Secretary Steve Barclay stood firm on the issue of pay when questioned by reporters, despite some Tories calling for a rethink.
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