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'We're not asking for much': nurses’ plea as strikes continue

Nurses in Sheffield remain resolute in their fight for patient safety and safe staffing and were joined by RCN general secretary Pat Cullen on the picket line

Nurses in Sheffield remain resolute in their fight for patient safety and safe staffing and were joined by RCN general secretary Pat Cullen on the picket line

Pat Cullen on the picket line at Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
RCN's Pat Cullen (centre) on the picket line at Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
Picture: John Houlihan

An emotional respiratory nurse who was hospitalised with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic embraced RCN general secretary Pat Cullen as she joined the picket line in Sheffield today.

Registered nurse Deborah Fox, who now works in the outpatients department, became tearful as Ms Cullen joined nursing staff at the Sheffield General Hospital for a third day of historic strike action.

‘We are just asking for safety at work’

Ms Fox said that it was time for the government to return the favour after she risked her life for patients during the first wave of COVID-19.

‘We are just asking for safety at work,’ she said. ‘This is why nurses are here today. We are not asking for much. We went to work during COVID-19 and many nurses and doctors died.

‘This is why I got emotional talking to Pat – she has inspired me to hold strong and keep fighting for the working conditions that nurses and our patients need and deserve.’

Ms Cullen spoke to dozens of nurses gathered outside the hospital and said they ‘must continue the fight together’ for patient care.

The message from nursing staff in Sheffield was clear: this is about more than pay, it is about patient safety and safe staffing.

On the picket line at Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
On the picket line at Northern General Hospital, Sheffield Picture: John Houlihan ​​​​​​

Bed shortages force nurses to make difficult decisions

Many on the picket line spoke of working shifts with upwards of 14 patients per nurse, adding stress to nurses and patients. They fear without an increase in pay more nurses will quit the NHS leaving the already stretched profession even thinner, an issue faced by colleagues around the country.

Nurses in the emergency department said they are having to choose ‘who is the sickest’ as there are not enough beds for acutely ill patients.

Cara Beynon said: ‘We are having to neglect the “most-well” patients’ as we can only treat the ones who need the most urgent care. We are worried about our PINs and who will get the blame if something goes wrong.

‘We go home after every shift feeling guilty. It’s awful and depressing. I love nursing and can’t imagine another job – but I worry that we are the last line of defence. If we leave there will be no one else left.’

Striking nurses at Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
Striking nurses at Northern General Hospital, Sheffield Picture: John Houlihan

‘We can’t go on like this’: nurses lament lack of government support

The picket lines were bustling, loud and full of chants for fair pay and patient safety. Passing members of the public showed their support by dropping off pizza, doughnuts and hot drinks for staff standing in freezing temperatures, while drivers constantly honked their horns in support.

While members of the public were clear about their support for nurses, those working in the NHS say that support is not felt from the government.

Nurse Ashleigh Scholtz said: ‘The NHS is being run on the goodwill of nurses who feel so guilty that they stay longer or work on their days off to help out their colleagues. It is broken, and we can’t go on like this.’

Strikers at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield
Strikers at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield Picture: John Houlihan

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