NURSES lined the streets outside Westmorland General Hospital in the first day of industrial action on Wednesday.

Thousands of nurses across England joined the picket line as a bitter pay dispute with the Government continues.

Among those was nurses from Westmorland General in Kendal who were striking outside the hospital.

 

Nursing staff from more than 55 NHS trusts will take part in industrial action today and Thursday following two days of action in December.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced that two further, bigger strikes will be held next month. 

The NHS is reminding patients to attend all their usual appointments unless they have been contacted, and to seek urgent care if needed during the strikes.

The RCN has agreed to staff chemotherapy, emergency cancer services, dialysis, critical care units, neonatal and paediatric intensive care.

And more than 1,500 GMB Union ambulance workers across the North West have announced five new strike dates

Paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff will walk out as follows on January 24, February 6 and 20 and March 6 and 20.