Paddy McGuinness joins striking NHS nurses on picket line

Paddy McGuinness showed his support for striking NHS nurses as he joined them on the picket line at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on Thursday.

The comedian, 49, was seen holding a sign aimed at passing drivers which read ‘honk if you support fair pay for nursing’ as he posed for pictures with members of the Royal College of Nursing.

As the nurses struggled to stay warm in bitterly cold temperatures, Top Gear host Paddy arrived with much-needed boxes of hand warmers, food and bunches of flowers to show his appreciation.

Strikes: Paddy McGuinness, 49, showed his support for striking NHS nurses as he joined them on the picket line at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on Thursday

Sue Middleton, a senior mental health nurse at Alder Hey, said they were surprised and thrilled to see him.

She said: ‘We’ve had so many people coming and joining us today, bringing us food and hot drinks. 

‘The support has been overwhelming, and to have Paddy here was fantastic. 

Doing good: As the nurses struggled to stay warm in bitterly cold temperatures, Top Gear host Paddy arrived with much-needed boxes of hand warmers, food and bunches of flowers

‘He was lovely, posing for selfies with nurses and waving the union placard. He said he’s with us all the way.’

Some members of the picket line took to Twitter to express their gratitude for their visit from Paddy. 

One person wrote: ‘Thank you for all the love and support we have received today on the picket lines and on social media! Never did I think when I became a nurse that I would strike! The mince pies were lovely! #patientsafety #SafeStaffingSavesLives #FairPayforNursing #RCNStrike.’

Thankful: Some members of the picket line took to Twitter to express their gratitude for their visit from Paddy

Another person wrote: ‘@PaddyMcGuinness Thank you for showing your support to @RCN staff at @AlderHey today. Coco the dog loved it.’

While someone else posted: ‘Bad angle but bragging rights, cheers @PaddyMcGuinness. Paddy dropped off food and flowers #NursesStrike #FairPayforNursing #SafeStaffingSavesLives.’

Up to 100,000 medics walked out on their jobs today in the biggest strike in NHS history.

Picket line: The comedian (back centre) held a sign aimed at passing drivers which read ‘honk if you support fair pay for nursing’ as he stood with members of the Royal College of Nursing

Nurses demanding better pay braved -8C temperatures and snow to bolster picket lines outside ailing hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A Christmas Day level of service was provided at dozens of affected hospitals, triggering huge disruption across the country and cancelling tens of thousands of appointments and ops.  

The row is over pay and working conditions, with the RCN demanding a pay rise 5 per cent above RPI inflation — equivalent to a 19 per cent boost.

However, it has indicated it would accept a lower offer.

 LONDON: Members of the RCN on the picket line outside St Thomas’ Hospital in London

The Government has so far refused to negotiate on salaries, sticking with its offer of around 4 per cent, or £1,400, which is backed by its independent NHS Pay Review Body.

But the union says the system, which was set up under Margaret Thatcher, is ‘out of date’ and ‘does not work for nurses’.

Today marks the first day of industrial action among the nurses, with a second set for December 20.

The union is also expected to announce more dates for January, unless an agreement is reached with Government. That action could cause even more disruption for patients.

Health leaders have urged those unwell to still come forward as the NHS ‘is open’ but admitted that it is ‘concerned about the risk that strikes pose to patients’.

NEWCASTLE: Members of the RCN on the picket line outside Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle