Southampton nurse discusses strikes on BBC Politics Live

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are calling for above-inflation pay rises and improvements to patient safety.

Walkouts are planned in more than half of hospitals nationally, including in Southampton.

It is the first time in more than 100 years that nurses have voted to walk out.

Clinical nurse specialist Harry Eccles, from Southampton, said he voted for strike action for patient safety.

READ MORE: Universities bracing for 'never seen before' strike

Appearing on BBC Politics Live on Thursday, he said: "The important issue came down to patient safety and trying to deliver the effective care as nurses.

"I've been qualified for about four years and things just get harder and harder and I see more colleagues leaving the profession and less people joining the profession.

"As we have those nursing vacancies it falls down to the nurses who are made to pick up that extra slack.

"You're carrying that extra per cent day in and day out and it really takes its emotional toll and it's a really horrible position to be in when you're leaving work for the day.

"Instead of reflecting on all the things you're proud of, you're reflecting on all the things you weren't able to do.

"It's only going to get worse if we don't fix this issue with safe staffing."

Harry Eccles talking on BBC Politics Live on Thursday (Image: BBC iplayer)

They are calling for a 17.5 per cent pay rise, five per cent above inflation (measured by RPI).

Nurses have voted for action in University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Solent NHS Trust, and South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Sarah Johnston, Operational Manager RCN South East, said: "The ballot for industrial action is taking place because the award given this year was significantly below what our ask would be and below inflation, and nurses' poor pay awards have gone on for too long.

"Our members feel that enough is enough and we want to turn anger into industrial action.

"We have balloted all our members and they voted overwhelmingly to strike. There's no other way forward to get paid fairly.

"It's also about value that we put on the nursing profession. They do not want to strike, it is the last thing that they want to do.

"The public can be assured that when we go on strike that the safety of patients is managed appropriately. That's the responsibility of the trust but we will be working very closely with them to ensure patient safety is maintained."

She added that it is not confirmed yet how many nurses will be going on strike, and when.

"Not everyone will be on strike on one day because we will be maintaining emergency care," she said.

"We are at least two weeks away but we will anticipate (the strike) before Christmas."

In the last year, 25,000 nursing staff around the UK left the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register.

RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen said: "Anger has become action – our members are saying enough is enough.

"The voice of nursing in the UK is strong and I will make sure it is heard. Our members will no longer tolerate a financial knife-edge at home and a raw deal at work.

"Ministers must look in the mirror and ask how long they will put nursing staff through this. While we plan our strike action, next week’s Budget is the UK government’s opportunity to signal a new direction with serious investment.

"Across the country, politicians have the power to stop this now and at any point.

"This action will be as much for patients as it is for nurses. Standards are falling too low and we have strong public backing for our campaign to raise them.

"This winter, we are asking the public to show nursing staff you are with us."

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RCN members on Agenda for Change contracts, who are working in the NHS and HSC under NHS terms and conditions, were balloted from October 6 to November 2.

The nurses' union expects strikes to run until early May next year.

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