Thousands of nurses are taking part in a 12-hour strike today including those who work at Newcastle hospitals.
Nurses who work for the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals Trust are taking part in the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) strike. The trust's hospitals include the RVI, Freeman, Dental Hospital and Great North Children's Hospitals.
The nurses are being offered a pay rise of around £1,400, which works out as around 4%, and is in effect a real terms pay cut for many due to soaring inflation.
Read more: Nurses to strike
CPI inflation stood at 10.7% in November. Some experienced nurses are said to be up to 20% worse off in real terms since 2010.
The RCN trade union is calling for a pay rise at 5% above inflation, although it has indicated it will accept a lower offer, PA News reports.
A second 12-hour strike will follow on Tuesday December 20 if the dispute is not settled.
Urgent and emergency treatment is being prioritised by Newcatle's hospitals today. And the NHS urges anybody who needs emergency care to "come forward as normal."
NHS England states: "Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that 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."
The advice is similar across NHS trusts affected by the strike, including Gateshead and Northumbria.
I have an appointment today with the NHS, should I still go?
If you have an appointment booked today at a hospital affected by the strike, you should still turn up unless you are told not to.
Newcastle Hospitals says: "Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless we have contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as normal. If your appointment has been postponed and you were due to come into hospital using patient transport ambulance services, please let them know."
What do I do in an emergency during the nurses' strike?
If somebody is seriously ill or life is at risk, call 999 as normal, the NHS says. A&E departments are "open as normal".
It adds: "Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the right care for them."
Don't be put off seeking emergency care if it is needed.
Newcastle Hospitals adds: "Emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country. It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk patients continue to come forward as normal."
Are GP services affected in Newcastle?
"GP services will be running as normal on strike days," says Newcastle Hospitals.
"Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments."
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