Medic ‘in tears over hardest decision’ to join the picket lines

A NURSE has described how she was “in tears” as thousands of healthcare workers in Northern Ireland walked out yesterday in a row over pay and conditions.

Nuala Murray, who joined colleagues outside the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, said “it was the hardest decision” for staff to take this stand.

The Royal College of Nursing member added: “This was so unprecedented for us to take this action because we haven’t went on strike in 103 years.

“Being out there on the picket lines and walking the wards, the support has been phenomenal.

“I’ve had nurses who have come to me crying, handing me their resignation because they feel like they cannot do this anymore.

“I do get really emotional and upset when I think about those cases. And I was nearly in tears when we decided to take this action.”

Hugh Mcanoy, 31, said the health service was “on its knees” and rapped the lack of leadership at Stormont.

He added: “We have been forced to be here right now because we have been given no choice with the state of the health service, with both pay conditions and staffing levels unacceptable.

“There is not enough funding or resources and we are seeing six nurses on wards now doing a job that requires more than 10 nurses – it is unsafe.”

The Royal College of Nursing strike lasted for 12 hours from 8am to 8pm, while Unison staff and paramedics staged a 24-hour walkout.

Roisin Devlin, who is an RCN member, said: “After almost 30 years in nursing I have seen some of the most heartbreaking things you could imagine and cried many tears. I can honestly say that today is the saddest day of my career.”