Nearly two thirds of the public support strikes by nurses as pressure mounts on the new PM to deliver a fair pay deal.
Polling released today found that 64% support possible strike action, while two thirds do not believe there are enough nurses to provide safe care.
Later this month the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will ballot 300,000 healthcare workers for the first time in its 100 year history.
The union today announced a package of support for members who do take industrial action, with staff on the picket line set to receive £50 a day if a strike goes ahead.
Yesterday Health Secretary Steve Barclay - who is expected to be replaced when a new Prime Minister is announced next week - said he has held discussions with the Treasury, with options around pay set to be presented to the next government.
Dealing with possible NHS strikes will be one of the first major headaches the new PM has to face.
A YouGov poll found that 64% of the public now support nurses taking strike action compared with 60% in June.
The survey of more than 1,700 Brits also found the number who said they were confident they or a loved one would receive good care in the NHS now stands at only half (56%) compared with more than two-thirds (68%) in June.
Nearly two thirds (62%) said this was due to there not being enough nurses and nursing staff to provide safe care, while over half (55%) say waiting times contribute to concerns.
RCN chief executive Pat Cullen said: “Strike action is no one’s first choice – especially nursing staff. We joined the profession to treat people, to advocate for our patients and the care they deserve – and through this vote we are saying they deserve better.
“Nursing staff on the picket line will receive £50 a day, to help to reduce the impact of action on their earnings in these toughest of times.
“If we are pushed to strike – we will still be advocating for these patients and the future of the NHS they deserve.
“This increase recognises the increased cost of living and the impact spiraling inflation is having on each and every one of our members.”
Ahead of the ballot opening on September 15, the RCN said it has a £50 million strike fund at its disposal.
Striking nursing staff whose earnings are withheld by their employer will now receive a strike benefit payment of £50 a day – a rise of just over 10%. Payments will be available from day one, the unions said.
