The NHS is preparing for further disruption to services today (February 7) as nurses walk out for the second day in a row in their dispute over pay.

Yesterday saw the largest strike in NHS history as Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members across England took action alongside nurses and ambulance crews who are members of the GMB union.

The RCN said yesterday and today will be the biggest nurses’ strikes so far, affecting more than a third of NHS trusts in England.

The union has about 300,000 members - around two-thirds of NHS nurses.

Members are taking action at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and at the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, which is responsible for Derriford Hospital, where many patients from Cornwall are treated.

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, which provides ambulances for Cornwall, will also be affected by strike action on Friday, February 10, February 20, March 6 and 20.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has opened a ballot for junior doctors on whether they too should take industrial action. The vote concludes on February 20.

All nurses in intensive and emergency care are expected to work today, and life-preserving care will be provided. So services such as intensive care, chemotherapy and dialysis will continue to be staffed, as part of emergency cover.

If anyone is seriously ill or injured, you should call 999, or 111 for non-urgent care, as normal.

The biggest effects are expected to be in outpatient clinics, and pre-booked treatment such as hernia operations and hip replacements.