NURSES striking outside of one of Cornwall's hospitals this morning were joined by a former Cornwall MP this morning as a fourth day of industrial action went ahead.
Former Helston and St Ives MP Andrew George was spotted visiting a number of nurses who took strike action outside of the West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance this morning (Jan 19).
The former member of parliament, whose seat was taken by Derek Thomas MP in 2015 after eight years of service, spoke to Cornwall-based members of the Royal College of Nursing who are currently into their fourth day of industrial strike action.
In a statement posted on its website, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "During planned industrial action, the NHS is working hard to keep people safe while delivering the best care possible.
"Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases (when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk).
"Patients are being asked to use services wisely and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most.
"This includes using NHS 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999, or our emergency departments in Truro and Plymouth, if it is a life-threatening emergency.
"Industrial action is a national dispute between the Government and Trade Unions about terms and conditions of employment."
Speaking at the end of the Royal College of Nursing's third day of strike action yesterday, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen, said: "Rather than grabbing our olive branch, Steve Barclay is desperately looking for new ways not to negotiate with nurses.
"Hundreds of impassioned nurses told me in person today that this strike is about discovering their voice after many years of being let down. The patients who joined picket lines see this as a battle for the soul of the NHS as much as it’s about pay rises.
"With just as many nursing staff ready to head into the cold again tomorrow morning, the Prime Minister must ask himself why and understand that only he can set the NHS on a better path."
The Packet has contacted the RCN, West Cornwall Hospital, and Andrew George for comment.
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