Nurses protested against the Government’s refusal to give a one per cent pay increase to all NHS staff.

Nursing staff from all over west London gathered outside Ealing Hospital with Dr Onkar Sahota , London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon and chair of the Assembly Health Committee, last Thursday (June 5) with a signed petition calling for the Government to overturn the decision.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), who were joined by Ealing Trades Council on the day, said the level of interest among nursing staff showed the ‘shameful’ pay freeze was a step too far.

Nora Flanagan, RCN London Operational Manager who attended the Ealing protest, said: “Members of the public who we’ve met today have been very worried about the way nurses are being treated and agreed with us that nursing staff are long overdue a pay rise.

“Our members are furious that the Government is refusing even to give them the one per cent they’re owed this year.

“Today has been the show of togetherness from staff at the different sites here in Ealing.”

Mr Sahota said: “Nurses look after the most vulnerable in society and especially when they are ill. Nurses put the interest of their patients first and are back bone of the people’s NHS.

“It is time the Government recognises the contribution of the nurses and gives them a fair pay rather than looking after the bankers and few rich people.”

The RCN supported events last Wednesday (June 4) all across London, including a large crowd at St Thomas’ opposite the House of Commons, as well as at Euston, Lewisham, Tooting and Whitechapel.

The events were organised in partnership with sister unions and attended by hundreds of NHS staff.

Some NHS staff will have had no pay increase for four years.