The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members will begin their walkout at 8pm with the strike ending at the close of Monday. The government has warned that the strike action “risks patient safety”, and NHS England has advised patients to anticipate “disruptions and delays” to services during the strike period.

However, discussions have resulted in national agreements to ensure staff can provide care to protect life and limb services, including intensive care, neonatal and paediatric care, major trauma, and resuscitation units.

A small number of RCN members will be asked to provide cover to meet trade unions’ legal requirements for life-and-limb cover to be provided.