The UK government said on Monday that it was seeking a court order to put an end to a planned strike by nurses working for the government-run National Health Service.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay stated he was acting on a request from NHS employers, which represents hospital groups in England and Wales, to declare the planned strike on May 2 "unlawful".

Nurses will walk out for 48 hours from 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) on April 30, with the action extended to staff in emergency departments, intensive care, and cancer care units for the first time.

"Despite attempts by my officials to resolve the situation over the weekend, I have been left with no choice but to proceed with legal action," said Barclay.

"I firmly support the right to take industrial action within the law –- but the government cannot stand by and let a plainly unlawful strike action go ahead nor ignore the request of NHS Employers," Barclay added.

"We must also protect nurses by ensuring they are not asked to take part in an unlawful strike", he concluded.

Earlier this month, members of the union rejected a government pay offer and immediately announced an escalation in strike action.

The refusal is a setback for the government, which had hoped for an end to the crippling health sector strike that has seen thousands of operations and appointments canceled.

The RCN has accused NHS employers of "seeking to discredit" the action on May 2 and will "strongly resist any application for injunctive relief from any or all NHS employers".

Meanwhile, healthcare bosses say further strikes would have an impact on reducing already lengthy waiting lists for treatment, which UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to reduce.