Theatre nurse Eleanor Smith has worked for the NHS for more than 30 years, here she tells Sky News why she's on the picket line.
"I didn't choose to work for the NHS to earn big money - no-one does.
"I've been a theatre nurse for more than 30 years, and for the past four years none of us have had pay rises.
"Now they're offering a 1% rise to some staff - a real-terms pay cut - but even that will only be given to around 40% of staff. Most will miss out.
"The pay freeze has effectively seen us lose thousands of pounds, and it's having a knock-on effect.
"For example a lot of things are done unpaid in the NHS, as a matter of goodwill. It's what keeps things ticking over. But with pay and morale at such a low point, people are less willing to do work for free.
"It's only a matter of time before the NHS struggles to recruit talented young people because they have second thoughts about joining a service which does not adequately reward its staff.
"Stood on the picket line outside the Birmingham Women's Hospital, we're getting a lot of support from the public. This time around, radiographers have joined our protest.
"What sort of pay rise would I like? In theory 10% but I know that wouldn't happen, but when you see MPs giving themselves 11% pay rises it makes you think.
"Whatever happens, we're in this dispute for the long haul."
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