picket line will be here until a pm and the nurses say they are willing to strive for as long as it takes to get their demands heard and we also hear a march will be held this afternoon heading to downing street to tell the government their views. there are more people today here in cardiff there are more people today here in cardiff outside the university hospital in wales than there wasn t thirsty hospital in wales than there wasn t thirsty possibly because of the cold weather thirsty possibly because of the cold weather but possibly also because there weather but possibly also because there seems to be more of an appetite there seems to be more of an appetite to come out and show the reason appetite to come out and show the reason why appetite to come out and show the reason why they are striking. i have spoken reason why they are striking. i have spoken to reason why they are striking. i have spoken to nurses about the reason they have spoken to nurses about the re
and melissa, who heads up the epilepsy unit here, she says she has advertised a senior staffjob, she would have got around 20 applicants usually but this yearjust one person, just one example of the other issue is why people are striking which is about staffing numbers, the reason so many people are leaving the profession and there are gaps in the rota meaning as the nurses say, the staff to patient ratio is not safe any more. of course we know the ambulance strike takes place tomorrow and in wales it will be a 24 hour strike starting at 7p pm this evening, the same time as this finishes. and our ireland correspondent, chris page, gave us an update from belfast. this is the third health service strike in northern ireland - in just over one week. eight days ago members are three other unions staged a 24 hour- walk out including some nursesl and today we have the second 12
of the other issues why people are striking today, it s about the staffing numbers, about the reason so many people have been leaving the profession and gaps in the rota, meaning that as the nurses say, staff to patient ratio isn t safe any more. we haven t mentioned scotland because nurses there have called off their strike action. two unions have accepted a pay offer from the scottish government. there is much to resolve though. let s speak to our political correspondent ione wales. thank you forjoining us live from westminster. help us understand this, how is the government interacting with each of the respective unions?- interacting with each of the respective unions? interacting with each of the resective unions? ., , ., , respective unions? that is right, as ou sa , respective unions? that is right, as you say. there respective unions? that is right, as you say, there are respective unions? that is right, as you say, there are multiple - respective unions? that is right, as y
person. just an example really of theissues person. just an example really of the issues of why people are striking today, which is about the staffing numbers, about the reason that so many people have been leaving the profession and there are gaps in the rota. meaning as the nurses say, staff to patient ratio isn t safe anymore. more information on the strike on the bbc website. in a minute we will turn to the front line in ukraine where president zelensky is visited the strategic eastern city where his troops are continuing to fend off a relentless russian assault. they world of music spent paying tribute to george michael who has died from a suspected heart failure at the age of 53. he sold well over 100 million albums in a career spanning more than three decades. the albums in a career spanning more than three decades. than three decades. the united states troops than three decades. the united states troops have than three decades. the united states troops have been - than thr
inflation and they said that has had a knock on effect on things like patient safety, staffing numbers, the number of nurses leaving the profession has been falling, the number coming in, it s been harder to attract new nurses into the profession, so they say all of this is kind of wrapped up in pay, but it is kind of wrapped up in pay, but it is broader. the issue you have at the moment as the two sites on the number, for the pay rise that should be received over the last year and the year are miles apart still. remind us of the figure. they have been asking remind us of the figure. they have been asking for remind us of the figure. they have been asking for rti remind us of the figure. they have been asking for rti information - remind us of the figure. they have l been asking for rti information plus 5%. with inflation running so high at the moment, that works out at somewhere between 17 and 19% pay rise. the government says that is just not obtainable, not realistic. they say