A picket line outside UCLH this week [All photos Simon Lamrock]

HUNDREDS of nurses walked out for the second time in a fortnight as the pressure builds on the government to bow to demands for more pay and safe staffing levels.

Staff walked out of Great Ormond Street Hospital and the University College London Hospitals – two of 73 NHS trusts across the country to join the action.

The Royal College of Nursing has called the first strike in the union’s history.

TV presenter and doctor Chris van Tulleken, a UCLH infection control specialist, said: “We have a nursing staff shortage in this country – because of working conditions, [and] because of a decade of real-terms pay cuts. At some point in all of lives we are going to be kept alive by nursing staff. It’s going to happen to every one of us.

“Practically and morally, we should want those people to be properly paid. That is what my friends and colleagues at UCLH are asking for. It’s not a huge increase, it’s just about having enough money to pay their food and bills. It’s not about politics, it’s about having good public health.

“It’s inspiring to stand with my nursing colleagues lawfully withholding their labour again today for fair pay and to make long-term conditions better for everyone.”

The first phase of RCN strike action took place in December with tens of thousands of members taking part. The government refused to budge, and so the union has escalated the action – leading members out on Monday and Tuesday this week, following a similar protest last month. The campaign aims to secure a pay increase that is 5 per cent above inflation (measured by RPI).

Strikers’ chants included: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Keep Our NHS Alive!”

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joined the RCN demo at UCLH, saying: “While underpaid and overworked nurses struggle to pay their energy bills, BP have announced £23billion in profit.

“That money should be going into the pockets of those who keep this country going. “Solidarity with members of Royal College of Nursing strike today.”

In a statement, UCLH said: “During strike action, we will prioritise emergency care and patients seeking urgent treatment will be seen. “We are working hard to ensure we minimise disruption to services and maintain patient safety during this time.”