The Health Secretary has accused a militant union of risking patient safety as nurses prepare to strike from 8pm tonight.

Steve Barclay said it was 'hugely regrettable' that some patients will not receive care over the bank holiday weekend. Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members will walk out until 11.59pm tomorrow.

'I echo fears from NHS leaders on the impact on patient safety,' Mr Barclay writes in an exclusive article for Mail Plus today.

He adds: 'There will be disruption… The NHS will be doing everything possible to mitigate this and will prioritise resources to protect emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, and trauma.'

Most of the 14 NHS unions are set to back the Government's 5 per cent pay deal this week, but the RCN and Unite are still prepared to continue walkouts.

Ministers are reportedly planning to impose the deal even if the RCN and Unite continue to reject it.

Great Ormond Street Hospital was yesterday granted exemptions from the strike.

The RCN previously said it would not agree to derogations – care areas where unions agree to provide staff in industrial action.

RCN leader Pat Cullen said mitigations had been agreed and insisted nurses at the London children's hospital would 'never ever' leave child patients at risk. Exemptions have also been agreed at St Thomas's Hospital A&E in London and the paediatric intensive care unit at Addenbrooke's in Cambridge.

Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, warned trusts were 'deeply concerned' about how they will cope during the strikes.