Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) has said that they “planned extensively” ahead of strike action happening today and tomorrow (June 6 and 7).

Nurses across most of Wales are striking amid rows over pay, after union members of the Royal College of Nursing rejected the Welsh Government’s revised pay offer in May.

The deal was implemented by the Welsh Government as it was accepted by the majority of other unions, but the Royal College of Nursing is taking strike action.

The union has however agreed a number of exemptions, including cancer care, critical care and some children’s services.

It will also staff a number of services on “night duty levels”, including emergency departments and community care.

The Welsh Government has said the average pay award for NHS staff in Wales – apart from doctors, dentists and senior managers – is 15.7% over two years from 2022/23 and 2023/24, 11.2% of which will be permanently in pay packets with the rest made up with one-off payments.

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BCUHB is one of the health boards affected by the strikes this week.

Chris Lynes, deputy executive director of nursing, said: “We have planned extensively to ensure that we are able to maintain essential and emergency services during this period of industrial action.

"Patients due to attend appointments on Tuesday 6th or Wednesday 7th June should attend as normal, unless advised by our staff not to do so.

"We apologise to any patients who have had their appointment or procedure postponed due to the industrial action.”