Nurses across Liverpool are taking part in an NHS strike over pay.
Staff from nine hospitals including the Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool Women’s and Alder Hey began 12-hour walkouts on Thursday morning.
The Royal College of Nursing called the first two strikes in December after the government’s refusal to re-enter negotiations over a proposed 19% pay rise.
Health minster Steve Barclay met with RCN chief Pat Cullen on Monday but ‘refused’ to discuss the prospect of any potential increases for nursing staff.
In total, 14 hospital trusts across the Liverpool City Region voted to strike but Southport and Ormskirk, Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospital did not gain enough support.
Further walkouts are planned on December 20, with the same nine hospitals and healthcare facilities involved in the first round set to take part again.
More to follow