West Midlands nurses join nationwide strike

Nurses across the West Midlands joined tens of thousands of others across the country for a 12-hour walk-out over pay.

Among them was Shelley Harwood, a nurse for 17 years at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, who said "pay and conditions are not reflective of the duties". Others cited cost-of-living concerns.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is calling for a 19% pay rise.

The government says the demand is unaffordable.

Many of those who took part in the walk-out in freezing temperatures said they were struggling due to the rising cost of domestic bills.

Lee Samson, who stood in front of the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, Worcestershire, said: "We are trying to do extra hours to make ends meet."

Lee Samson said many nurses were using foodbanks

Mr Samson told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester many nurses had turned to foodbanks for support.

"We just feel we need more of a pay rise to help us with the standards of living," he said.

Heather Smith said cancer patients are suffering because of the industrial action

Heather Smith was due to have an operation on Thursday after finding a lump on her breast and said she was "in tears" when it was cancelled because of the industrial action.

She said: "You get yourself all psyched up for something, right this is it, let's go and get it done."

Speaking to BBC Breakfast earlier, health minister Maria Caulfield said she accepted "it is difficult" living on a nurse's wage, but a 19% pay rise was unrealistic.

Dozens gathered outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham

Dozens of nurses, many holding placards, gathered on the picket line outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The RCN's Lindsey Meeks said: "We've got our student nurses who can't afford to nurse who are leaving [the profession]."

RCN head Pat Cullen described the situation as a tragedy, and apologised to patients for the disruption to their care.

Worcestershire Health and Care Trust said minor injury units in Malvern and Tenbury had been closed due to staffing pressures.

Units in Bromsgrove and Evesham remained open, it added.