The latest Public Service sector strike action over pay and conditions came from the most unlikely groups of workers, NHS cardboard cut-out Nurses. These Nurses were introduced to remind visitors to wards to wash their hands before and after they leave, with an automated recorded message as they walked passed.

However, due to human staff shortages, the Nurses have been given extra patient responsibilities, such as giving patients’ bed baths and taking temperatures, by NHS bosses. One male patient said "the Nurses are doing the best they can in the given circumstances, but when they try to give me a bed bath they just go soggy. Besides, they're not the best conversationalists in the world "When I say 'Good morning Nurse' they just say 'Please remember to wash your hands'”.

Besides extra patient responsibilities the Nurses are reporting more attacks by drunken patients split evenly between those annoyed hearing "please wash your hands" messages every time walk past, and horny male patients who are trying to get off with the nurse who wears a sexy uniform. A Doctor who admitted to having a 3 month affair with a Cardboard Nurse said "my girlfriend has forgiven me. The nurse and I continue to work professionally. Besides I couldn't help myself, have you seen the uniform on that Nurse - cor blimey, ding dong!"

Outside Hospital gates up and down the country the Cardboard Nurses have set up picket lines without a burning fire to keep warm. "Well it's a Health and Safety matter, besides its summer we don't need the fire', before adding "Please remember to wash your hands".

A spokesperson for the Cardboard Nurses Union said "If the Government thinks that we'll accept the 1.5% over 3 years, is unacceptable." Health Secretary, Alan Johnson MP, said "I'd like to reassure the public that their safety is paramount and that there will be no shortage of Nurses during the strike. We already have initiated a contingency plan to recruit a number of cardboard nurses from the Philippines."

Other cardboard cut-outs are showing solidarity with the cardboard Nurses, a Police cardboard cut-out said "Unfortunately, we're not legally able to strike but we can work to rule."

The cut-out Nurses desperately need their working conditions and pay to improve as the Medical world is high pressure and fast moving. Some cut-out nurses who are unable to cope are taking drugs or try to get attention by cutting themselves.