Nurses' strike hit UK hospitals today, set a Friday deadline for talks; read details here

Today, thousands of nurses will walk out for the second time in a week after Tories refused to resume compensation negotiations.

Medical professionals went on strike for the first time in 106 years after rejecting a pay increase that was much below inflation at 4.75%.

Tories have been given till Friday to reopen pay negotiations; if they don't, more severe strikes will be announced for January.


The situation will get worse tomorrow as paramedics from three other unions strike across various districts, forcing some patients to be transported to an emergency room by taxi. Pat Cullen, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, pleaded with Conservative ministers to "get this wrapped up by Christmas."

To prevent the nursing staff and patients from entering the new year with such uncertainty, she remarked that she would bargain with Rishi Sunak at any time. She commented that they would be forced to continue in January, which will be quite regrettable if this administration isn't willing to do the right thing.

Health Secretary Barclay commanded unions to develop a comprehensive strategy at a hospital yesterday to guarantee that lives will be safeguarded during the paramedic strike. But Unite Chief Sharon Graham cautioned Steve Barclay that if patients suffer, he will "have to carry the can" and that unions won't "blink first" to end the impasse.

Our door is always open, said the UK Prime Minister, but as Rishi Sunak cautioned, "these things are difficult" when you're not getting paid. This comes after a mother attacked the Health Secretary at a child's hospital bed, telling him she was "scared" for the future of her three-year-old daughter.

Sarah Pinnington-Auld, whose daughter suffers from cystic fibrosis, questioned Barclay about how NHS employees are "worked to the bone." The harm you're causing to families like hers is horrific, she informed him. She said that she is so worried about her daughter's future, thinking about what the guys might do to the NHS and what it means in concrete terms for the length of her life, which was a terrible statement.

Yesterday evening, Rishi Sunak expressed his extreme disappointment at the unions' decision to conduct these strikes, specifically at Christmas and in light of the disruption it brings to people's everyday lives and the negative impact it has on their health.

FAQs:

1. Who questioned Mr. Barclay about how NHS employees are worked to the bone?
   Sarah Pinnington-Auld, whose daughter suffers from cystic fibrosis, questioned Mr. Barclay about how NHS employees are "worked to the bone."
2. After how many years have medical officials come on strike?
   Medical professionals went on strike for the first time in 106 years.