Nurses strikes: Big rally in Southampton as Pat Cullen visits

The second day of industrial action this week at Southampton General Hospital is due to continue today after a walkout on Monday.

Nurses said told the Echo it's "soul-destroying" to be able to offer the care patients deserve, and are keen to ensure the retention and recruitment of nurses in the profession.

The Royal College of Nursing's general secretary, Pat Cullen, was due to visit nurses at the picket line outside the hospital this afternoon.

Ms Cullen said nurses are “trying to bring their NHS back from the brink” and will continue to do so until the government listens.

Speaking at the picket line outside the hospital on Monday, research nurse of 40 years Pauline Bartlett said: “I never thought I would strike, but I feel we are backed up against the wall.

Pauline Bartlett (centre, in yellow) with fellow striking nurses (Image: Maya George, Newsquest)

“I am so saddened by the state of the NHS and the care that we are giving, and it’s mainly due to a lack of staffing.

“It’s soul-destroying to not be able to give the care people deserve.

“To retain and recruit nurses is to give nurses a better salary and to make working conditions better by making it a safer place to work.”

READ MORE: Nurses walk out for third time as dispute continues

For Southampton nurse of five years Esma Williams, nurses’ voices “need to be heard.”

Nurses on strike in Southampton (Image: Newsquest)

The 55-year-old said: “I’m here because I want the nursing profession to be attractive; we shouldn’t be losing nurses every day.

“It’s because they are working under extreme pressure or they are not being paid enough.

“Nurses are exhausted. We are trying to keep up with demand but as a result, our patients are suffering as they are not getting the patient care they deserve.

“Enough is enough.”

READ NEXT: ‘The NHS is dying’: Nurses demand better pay and conditions as strikes continue

Nearly 100 people gathered at the official and supporters picket lines at the hospital on Monday.

Some signs held by those on strike read ‘3% pay, sashay away, #UPTHENHS’, while others read ‘Better pay and nurses will stay.’

Carlie Page (left) with fellow nurses on strike (Image: Maya George, Newsquest)

Among those on the picket line was nurse of three years Carlie Page.

The 37-year-old said: "I am here because I love my job but the time has come now.

"We are making a stand and showing the government that things have got to change.

"We are grossly understaffed, it’s not safe."

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article on the Daily Echo. Your support means we can bring you the latest breaking news, exclusive Saints features and coverage - and much more.

Digital subscribers get unrestricted access to all of our stories, our dedicated app including e-version of the newspaper, and an advertising-light website.

If you want all the latest articles delivered straight to your inbox you can join the thousands of subscribers who are signed up to our newsletters.

They include our popular daily morning news briefing, breaking news, crime and court, and Southampton FC bulletins - plus business, heritage and our what's on newsletters.