‘Determined’ nurses the NHS ‘can’t cope’ without will push ahead with strikes, union leader warns

Health secretary Steve Barclay accuses RCN of premature action

The health service “can’t cope” without nurses who are “determined” to press on with strikes even if a pay rise for NHS workers goes ahead on Tuesday, union leaders have said.

Services across England were braced for “exceptionally low” staffing as part of the biggest walkout yet over the bank holiday.

But the health secretary Steve Barclay accused nurses of taking premature and disrespectful action, just hours before a meeting that could deliver salary increases for many.