'Colleagues are often in tears during a shift' - Nurses begin their second day of strike action across Wales.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing are striking over pay and working conditions.
Last updated 7th Jun 2023
Nurses from the Royal College of Nursing begin their second day of new strike action, demanding better pay and working conditions.
They will walk out for 12 hours during the ongoing dispute, meaning thousands of planned care appointments will be effected.
Nurses on the picket line spoke about why they have joined the pickets.
Beth Webster has been a nurse for 10 years, and says the career has been
'It's extremely tough. Our wards are extremely short-staffed. We're often working at half the safe staffing level that we are supposed to have.
'I don't think that at the majority of the time we can give the patients the care they deserve and that is extremely demoralising and disheartening'.
Beth says the pressers the staff are under leads to colleagues 'often in tears during shift'.
Yesterday in a press conference, Welsh Government Health Minister Eluned Morgan said that they are in constant talks with the unions to work out a solution to the dispute, but also warned that the money to uplift pay to the amount the RCN wants is not there.
The Health Minister says lack of funding is causing issues during negotiations, saying 'if there is no more money that we can offer, which is the request, then obviously that creates a problem.
'The negotiations will continue with my officials, we are always willing to talk but I'm afraid if it involves more money that will be extremely difficult'.
RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen visited eight hospitals across South Wales to meet nurses on the picket lines.
In a statement, Pat Cullen said 'Thank you to each and every one of you striking today. Today was strong but tomorrow needs to be stronger still. We need even more people to join you.
“Do not go to work. Do not be bullied. I heard on the picket line how some managers were strong-arming staff. Tell the RCN and we will protect you. The Nursing and Midwifery Council is clear you have the right to do this, and our action is always safe - we are doing this for our patients and the public supports us.
“Talk to all your friends and colleagues tonight and tell them you are going to join tomorrow and encourage them to be part of this too. Together, we will win. But it will take each and every one of us to show the strength of nursing.”