For the first time in thirty years, nurses, midwives and ambulance staff in the UK's NHS have gone on strike.
The aim of this action is to improve working conditions and pay rates. However in taking strike action some patients may also suffer. Is this action justified?
"Workers from six trade unions are taking part, which will disrupt some NHS services - although urgent and emergency care will be unaffected.
Trade unions want a 1% pay rise for all NHS staff, but the government has said the proposal would cost too much.
Ahead of the strike, England's chief nursing officer Jane Cummings said "robust plans" had been put in place and patient safety "was a priority".
Chief Nursing Officer Jane Cummings urged workers to "think very carefully" about striking.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said it was "disappointed that trade unions are taking industrial action".
"NHS staff are our greatest asset, and we've increased the NHS budget to pay for over 12,500 more clinical staff since 2010.
"We cannot afford a pay rise in addition to increments - which disproportionately reward the highest earners - without risking frontline jobs," the spokesman added.
Unison said the action - the first strike by NHS staff over pay in more than 30 years - would send a "clear message" to the government.
Union leaders have said their members will be providing "life and limb" cover during the strike, meaning 999 calls will be answered and A&E units will remain open.
However, hospital outpatient appointments, community clinics and some routine operations could be affected.
The Royal College of Midwives, which is taking action for the first time in its history, has said services for women giving birth will be unaffected. Instead, their members are likely to target antenatal and postnatal care.
Doctors and dentists are not involved.
The walkout will be followed by four days of working-to-rule from Tuesday (this means staff will not be doing unpaid overtime and will be taking their breaks).
Christina McAnea, head of health at Unison, said the offer in England was a "disgrace".
"The NHS relies on the good will of its workers but we know that a demotivated workforce is bad for patients. The government needs to start negotiating with us and reconsider their pay policy."
RCM chief executive Cathy Warwick added: "At a time when MPs are set for a 10% pay hike, we're told that midwives don't deserve even a below-inflation 1% rise. And politicians wonder why the public does not afford them more respect.
"It feels to a great many people, including midwives, that there is one rule for them and another rule for everybody else."
www.bbc.com/news/health-29560083 How do health workers balance their role as ordinary employees who are rightfully entitled to a just wage for just work versus their moral obligations to their patients?
What do you think?
Image sourceIt is proposed that health workers should strike for better pay and working conditions