Thousands of nurses beginning two-day strike in UK

Nursing staff from more than 55 NHS trusts will take part in industrial action on Wednesday and Thursday following two days of action in December.

Report informs via Sky News that Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said while he recognises the cost of living pressures on NHS staff, "unaffordable pay rises" will stoke inflation.

Separately, Mr Barclay has signalled that pay negotiations will look ahead to next year rather than reflecting on the 2022/23 pay award, which unions have said must be reviewed.

The Guardian reports that on January 18 and 19, nurses will take breaks from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm. Because of this, a large number of surgeries and appointments with doctors had to be canceled.