"Covid killed off a lot of nurses - physically and metaphorically."
Those were the devastating words of Bernadette Kearney - a nurse who recently took early retirement because she felt "burnt out". Bernadette spoke to the ECHO from Liverpool Women's Hospital on the second day of industrial action by members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
Tens of thousands of nurses are currently on strike in the biggest walkout by NHS staff this country has seen. Union members from all hospital trusts in the city have walked out with large picket lines seen at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, Alder Hey Children's Hospital and Aintree University Hospital.
READ MORE: Live updates as nurses strike in Liverpool and across the country
Bernadette, who retrained as a nurse when she was 48, emotionally told the ECHO: "I'm so passionate about nursing - I always wanted to do it. I finally got the chance and look how we have been treated. The government has no respect for us. They need to come down to a working floor and see what we do.
"I took early retirement last year because I can't do it anymore. I am burnt out. We were on the front line during covid - we turned up everyday. What did the government do? They stood on the doorstep and clapped us.
"Why don't we stand on our doorstep and give them a clap instead of allowing them a pay rise? I heard Mr Sunak was disappointed with us. Poor Mr Sunak - why don't you come down here so I can show how disappointed I am with you?"
Bernadette's direct challenge to the prime minister and the government comes amid an ongoing dispute over pay, working conditions and patient safety. Outside Liverpool Women's Hospital today, December 20 dozens of nurses gathered to fight for a fairer deal.
Joining Bernadette on the picket line was Sally Kinsella. Sally, who has been a nurse for 12 years, told the ECHO : "No one goes into nursing because it's well paid - you go into it because you love helping people.
"But we have a foodbank in the staff room. Nurses shouldn't be relying on foodbanks. There's a bigger picture that the government don't see. It's not just about the pay - it's about sustaining the future of the NHS. We've got to ensure we can provide the care our patients deserve."
Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson joined the strikers on the picket line in a show of "solidarity". Ms Johnson told the ECHO : "We're in the midst of a cost of living crisis. Nurses are relying on food banks in one of the wealthiest economies in the world. These people do amazing jobs and need to be rewarded.
"I would say to Steve Barclay (the secretary of state for health and social care) to get around the negotiating table, give the nurses better pay and working conditions, and stop dividing public sector workers."
The RCN is asking for a 19% pay rise. But the government has so far refused to negotiate with RCN general secretary Pat Cullen who warned there will be more strike action in January unless Steve Barclay meets with the union. RCN general secretary Pat Cullen told BBC Question Time: "As time moves on - unfortunately if this government doesn’t speak to us and doesn’t get into a room - I’m afraid that this will escalate."
Nurse Sam Holcombe, who has worked for the NHS for seven years and at Liverpool Women's Hospital for four, told the ECHO : "Now is the time for the government to pay us back for everything we did throughout covid. Please just come around the table and negotiate with us.
"We just want respect. We are the NHS - we're for the people."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here .
READ NEXT:
Masked men storm Royal Mail depot and steal parcels days before Christmas
Merseyrail could expand to more destinations after new trains tested
'Caring' woman, 32, dies after house fire as fiancé fights for life
CCTV appeal after brazen burglar broke into house and went upstairs in broad daylight
Where the stars of Merseyside sitcom Watching are now - from Hollywood to EastEnders
