NHS staff from the Isle of Wight have organised a picket line outside St Mary's Hospital today (Wednesday).
Several people can be seen on Medina Way, Newport with placards reading: 'Staff shortages cost lives' and 'It's time to pay nursing staff fairly'.
Nurses from Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust, who deliver drug and alcohol support on the Isle of Wight, are demonstrating their fight for fair pay and safe staffing. They are joined by staff from Solent NHS Trust.
Thousands of nurses across England are starting another round of strike action over pay.
They're walking out at more than 50 NHS trusts for 12 hours today and tomorrow.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust said:
"Isle of Wight NHS services are not affected by today’s strike action.
"There is a picket line organised by the RCN branch for Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT) for their members who deliver services on the Isle of Wight on Medina Way outside St Mary’s Hospital, as they have a mandate for official action."
*UPDATED
*Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“We wanted to listen to the concerns of these staff and found amazing similarity to those of education support staff and teachers. Frustration that they cannot do the job that they love, for which they trained.
"In both health and education, it is well documented that both patients and pupils have not been receiving the support and care needed. Government says a pay rise is unaffordable. What is unaffordable is the constant and growing inability of both services to provide support."
Harry Eccles, Picket Supervisor, said:
“We appreciate support from the public and the National Education Union. We are fighting for the future of the profession, patient safety and ultimately the NHS, We must protect our frontline public services and all essential workers."
Councillor Joe Lever - Isle of Wight Green Party - said:
"As a union member, a local politician and an islander, it’s important to show solidarity with our striking nurses.
"The support from Islanders is huge, as it is nationally too. Government would do well to remember this. Covid claps don’t pay the bills nor do they improve patient safety."
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