Nurses' strike: 'I would love a little Christmas miracle'

Cancer nurse Edel Coulter says it is time for politicians in Northern Ireland to address the health service issues.

She was speaking ahead of a strike by more than 15,000 nurses on Wednesday.

The unprecedented action is being taken over pay and patient safety.

According to the Royal College of Nursing, nurses' pay within the health service continues to fall behind England, Scotland and Wales.

The nursing vacancy rate in Northern Ireland is 13%, compared with about 11% in England and 6% in Scotland.

Ms Coulter says most people in Northern Ireland no longer care about the old "orange and green" battles between unionists and nationalists.

"What's important is our health and education," she said.