Striking nurses on a picket line at St Thomas’ hospital have said they were “saddened” to see the “World Cup got more coverage than the nurses strike”.

Around 100,000 nurses across England, Northern Ireland, and Wales have begun the first of two day-long strikes over real-terms pay cuts, conditions and fears over patient safety.

Strikes will also take place on December 20, and the two walkouts are the biggest ever round of industrial action by NHS nurses.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which wants a 19% pay rise, or inflation plus 5%, general secretary Pat Cullen said it was “a tragic day for nursing, it’s a tragic day for patients”.

Striking staff have rallied at a picket line outside St Thomas’ Hospital, in Westminster.