Alliance Party Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the announcement of reimbursement of strike pay for nurses is just the first of many towards a fair pay and conditions settlement for nurses.

The South Belfast MLA said: “The announcement of reimbursement of pay for strike action is welcome, but merely repeats an assurance already given upon the restoration of devolution in January.

“Now what is required is much swifter action on proper banding for nurses and the immediate introduction of safe staffing legislation, which is itself integral to the dispute resolution.

“There is a lot of work still to be done on this issue and I will continue to press the Minister to move with more urgency. There is no point clapping our frontline workers if we are not prepared to show clearly that we value them through their pay and conditions.”