Reuters, April 16, 2008 Copenhagen - Twenty-two thousand nurses went on strike in Denmark on Wednesday, demanding higher pay and causing thousands of patients to have their hospital appointments cancelled. Another 13,000 nurses support the strike but continued to work to keep emergency healthcare services running. The nurses demand a 15 percent pay raise over three years, while local authorities are offering 12.8 percent - the same raise accepted by other public employees. Denmark has universal healthcare, with nurses' pay the responsibility of local regions. So far the central government has not intervened in the conflict. A Gallup poll showed that 50 percent of Danes support the strikers. © Copyright 2007 Hindustan Times