EXHAUSTED day surgery theatre nurses at Guys and St Thomas’ hospitals in London will walk out this week after bosses extended their shift finish times by an hour.

Their union Unite has said that 50 staff will now have to work until 9pm, a move which could further compromise patient safety.

Staff had already previously had their shifts extended by an hour and have had to start working Saturdays to tackle extra theatre lists. 

The staff will also walk out Thursday, and again on July 2.

A Guys and St Thomas’ theatre nurse said: “Staff in the day surgery units at Guys and St Thomas’ hospitals are striking because they are tired of having their concerns over burn out and patient safety repeatedly ignored by managers.

“The situation has now reached crisis point, with nurses feeling like they have no option but to strike to protect themselves and their patients.”