Fiona McCarthy Workers Party Representative for North Belfast who works in the Health Service said it is wonderful to see so many politicians and organisations celebrating International Nurses Day.

Ms McCarthy said the Workers Party joins our voice to those who praise nurses nationally and internationally, but it is action to give meaning to those words that is needed. We have stood on the picket lines with our nurses and other healthcare workers each time they have been forced to take strike action in order to maintain pay parity and will do so again when needed.

Ms McCarthy said nurses are being forced to give care and treatment in corridors, in the back of ambulances, in over crowded emergency departments, and hospital wards. Where patients and staff are denied even a semblance of dignity, due to the crisis in our health services. Nurses have been promised each time they strike that pay, staff shortages, bed shortages will be sorted. Yet, there is no comprehensive workforce plan in place, despite proposals for a major restructuring and re-profiling of services. That will make the situation worse. If our politicians value our national health service, then they should stop throwing money at the private sector who have no interest in delivering universal healthcare for all our citizens.