The caring profession needs us to care now

THE news that nurses are considering strike action has sent shockwaves through the country.

These are people who give their lives to helping us, who train for years to care for us.

The job involves gruelling hours, low pay and often terrible conditions.

And how has the government rewarded these loyal NHS servants?

With a freeze on wages and a below inflation pay offer.

Not just this year – but for the last six.

Nurses don’t want to strike. They go into the profession because they want to help.

It’s a job that takes a special kind of person.

Dedicated, committed and caring.

But for the first time in its history, the Royal College of Nursing is asking members about a strike.

They are not doing this lightly, but they recognise that nursing is at breaking point.

A one per cent pay offer is simply not enough.

Wages are already massively behind inflation.

Thousands of nurses are taking out payday loans to make ends meet.

Many are having to turn to hardship loans.

These are the people who look after us at the time of our greatest need.

It’s time we started looking after them.