In 1987, the Thatcher ministry proposed to impose charges for periodic dental and eye checkups.
The proposal was seen as a violation of the principles of preventive medicine that might be further extended in the future.
The British Medical Association declared its opposition.
They complained that the Health Service was 'under funded, undermined and under threat'
The nurses made well justified claims for pay increases, many were leaving the NHS for the private sector.

The nurses resort to a strike to protest their low pay'

From The Thatcher Revolution by Earl Aaron Reitan

1988
"
Health workers totally demoralised and dejected"
Rodney Bickerstaffe, general secretary Nupe

Nurses protest for better pay
Nurses across the UK have taken part in a day of industrial action to secure more money for themselves AND the NHS.

In London, they were joined by patients, pensioner groups and Labour MPs in the 40 hospitals across the capital.

In the House of Commons Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher condemned the health workers' strike saying it was prolonging waiting lists and deserting patients

A South Yorkshire pit, Frickley Colliery, was brought to a standstill when nearly 200 day-shift workers refused to cross the nurses' picket line at the pit gate.'

BBC 'on this day' 3rd Feb


"Some of us also remember all the striking sons of bitches miners teachers and the like"
- like those very nurses who care for patients with dementia !