Nurses striking for second day outside Worcestershire Royal Hospital

Thousands of nurses across the UK are staging the second walkout over pay as a series of strikes takes place in the run-up to Christmas.

The first strike was held on Thursday (December 15) where a picket line formed outside Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The picket line grew with even more staff and supporters outside the city's hospital holding placards and banners at today's picket line (Tuesday).

Around a quarter of hospitals and community teams in England are taking part in the strike, alongside all trusts in Northern Ireland and all but one health board in Wales.

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Those on the picket line could be seen wearing a variety of blue and white vests over their clothing.

Anyone wearing a blue vest is a nurse and anyone wearing a white vest is an ally in support of the strikes.

A nurse called Tracey, who wished to keep her last name anonymous, emphasised how the strikes were also about improving patient safety

Tracey (in the blue vest) with others on the picket line at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. (Image: Newsquest)

She said: "We are striking today to improve patient safety.

"We are losing staff so much lately so that is why we are here. We want to improve patient safety and keep our trained staff.

"The support from the public has been so encouraging.

"We arrived this morning at 7am and will be leaving this evening at 8pm."

While a Worcester News reporter was talking to those on the picket line, a driver stopped their car to give the nurses snacks and supplies for their day of striking.

READ MORE: RCN nurses strike at Worcestershire Royal Hospital

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Government are locked in a bitter dispute over pay, with ministers saying the salary rise demanded by unions is unaffordable.

On Wednesday, ambulance workers including paramedics, control room workers and technicians will also walk out in England and Wales, with health chiefs warning this represents the most serious threat to date

The RCN has been calling for a pay rise of 5 per cent above inflation, though it has indicated it would accept a lower offer.

When it submitted the 5 per cent figure to the independent pay review body in March, inflation was running at 7.5 per cent.

But inflation has since soared, with RPI standing at 14.2 per cent in September.

The Government has implemented the recommendations of the independent pay review body, which gave nurses a rise of about 4.75 per cent, with a guaranteed minimum of £1,400.

During Tuesday’s strike, the NHS will be running a bank holiday-style service in many areas as thousands of operations and procedures are cancelled and rescheduled.