A striking nurse has asked the government to "pay us what we deserve" in a heartfelt plea on BBC Question Time.
Last night's edition of the long-running programme, which came live from Skipton in North Yorkshire, saw the audience member end the show with an emotional moment describing the financial pressures on NHS workers.
The woman, who said she had just voted to strike, said the impact the cost-of-living crisis meant people like her had been left with little other choice than to take action even when they didn't want to.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which represents two thirds of NHS nurses, will stage its first ever national walkout on December 15 and 20 as Health Secretary Steve Barclay refuses to even discuss pay rise proposals.
She referred back to lengthy discussions throughout the show about the impact of public sector and rail strikes by saying of the NHS: "We want to be proud of our profession - I've just voted to strike, and that was hard. That was a really difficult decision.
"Language like 'holding the country to ransom' and things - I don't want to strike! But we've been waiting for 'jam tomorrow' for decades now, and it hasn't come."
Transport minister Richard Holden replied by saying "more [funding] than ever before" was being put into the NHS, even in "real terms", but trying to "match that need" to people was difficult to achieve.
As Fiona Bruce attempted to bring the week's debate to a close, the nurse then addressed the room with a reminder of the reality of the decisions she and her colleagues in the NHS were facing by asking: "All care workers, doctors, nurses, we need to be able to lead reasonable lives without having to strike - so pay us please what we deserve".
Her comments appeared to strike a chord with those around her, with a loud round of applause followed by the host wrapping up the episode.
News of industrial action on the railways and in other sectors dominated Thursday night's Question Time, with Fiona also stepping in when Richard Holden clashed with Andy Burnham in a heated debate over Christmas rail strikes.
After the Mayor of Greater Manchester urged people not to blame strikers who were "fighting for their family income", a rapid exchange between the pair ensued.
It culminated in the BBC host exclaiming "Whoa, whoa, don't talk over each other!" - to which the Tory minister sheepishly responded "I wasn't!".
