It may sound obvious, but it bears repeating — nurses are vital to the safe running of hospitals and their absence heaps further strain on the health service.
NHS services endured major disruption yesterday as nurses walked out in a 28-hour strike over pay. Nick Hulme, chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, revealed that patients in intensive care had to be transferred as staff did not provide cover despite an exemption from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). And there is no end in sight — the head of the RCN suggested walkouts could go on “up until Christmas”.
