The MP for Oxford East has blamed the Prime Minister for the upcoming Royal College of Nursing (RCN) strikes in March.

Anneliese Dodds MP for Oxford East said the 48-hour nursing strike between 1 and 3 March was the result of the PM “refusing to sit down with nurses and hammer out a pay deal.”

RCN’s members at half of hospitals, mental health and community services will take part in the strike and members in key areas such as critical care and chemotherapy will also join the walkout.

READ MORE: Royal College of Nursing strike will include Oxford health trusts

Ms Dodds said: “These are Rishi Sunak's strikes.

“These strikes are the last thing the NHS needs after thirteen years of Conservative mismanagement.

"I will continue to call on the government to swallow their pride and sit down with the nurses, in the interests of patients in Oxford and beyond.”

The Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Failure to provide cover during strike action for key services like cancer care is a significant escalation from the Royal College of Nursing that will risk patient safety.

“We are working closely with NHS England on contingency plans, but this action will inevitably cause further disruption for patients.

“I’ve had a series of discussions with unions, including the RCN, about what is fair and affordable for the coming year, as well as wider concerns around conditions and workload.”

The Oxford Mail recently reported that staff from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are included in the striking.

This industrial action marks the first time in history the RCN has announced a continuous 48-hour strike.

The RCN has asked for a pay rise of 5 per cent above inflation but the government has given staff below the doctors’ 4.75 per cent on average.