A SUMMER of protests by nurses and other health workers is being launched today amid warnings of a ballot for strikes if the Government does not remove the one per cent cap on NHS pay.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are staging demonstrations and events around the country, including at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton today.

The RCN is threatening to hold a ballot for strikes after a poll showed nine out of ten members would support the move.

RCN council member for the South East Sylvia Simmons said: “Nurses work tirelessly to treat and care for the sick, elderly and the vulnerable.

“It is a profession which has been undervalued for too long.

“We have members using food banks and who are struggling to make ends meet.”