HIGH workloads and severe staff shortages are causing NHS physiotherapists to break down in tears at work, their union warned today as members continued their first-ever round of strikes.

Up to 4,200 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) members in 30 health trusts across England downed tools for 12 hours from midday.

The industrial action, which saw its first walkout on January 26, comes after Tory ministers offered austerity-hit health service workers another below-inflation average pay rise of just 4.75 per cent for 2022-23.