ESNEFT Chief Executive Nick Hulme says he wants to see a quick resolution to RCN nursing strikes

The Chief Executive of the trust which runs Ipswich Hospital, said he wants to see a resolution to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) strikes 'as soon as possible'.

This comes as nurses and nursing assistants across Suffolk continue to join picket lines, calling for improved patient safety and fair pay.

Nick Hulme, Chief Executive of East Suffolk and North East Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) said: "We value all our staff and understand the importance of good pay and conditions for individuals and their families, as well as for wider NHS staff retention and recruitment."

Mr Hulme, added: "While pay is a matter for Government and trade unions, we want to see a resolution as soon as possible to make sure we can continue to focus on delivering high quality and compassionate patient care to anyone in our communities who needs it.

"We have planned for all eventualities to keep our patients safe - this is our top priority."

One of those on the picket line outside Ipswich Hospital this morning was Jo, who works on the Capel Ward.

Explaining her reasons for taking part in the strike action, Jo said: " I just want to have safe staffing and to be able to look after patients properly.

"I try to look after patients as if they were my mum and dad and we can't do that at the moment, we haven't been able to do do it for years really.

"There are never enough staff on the ward, there are less every day and we are supposed to just cope with that."

Jo said that she believes that people aren't coming into nursing because of low pay and newly qualified nurses are not staying within the profession.

Supporting nurses and nursing assistant on the picket line was Tony Durcan, RCN Senior Officer.

Speaking directly to the Government Mr Durcan said: "You need to listen to the nurses, you need to get round that table with Pat Cullen our Chief Executive and you need to sort this out.

"You can sort it out, you should sort it out, because we believe in the NHS."