Healthcare staff accept new deal to end pay row

Unison said 96% of its members voted to strike in July

Healthcare assistants have ended a long-running pay dispute.

Unison said hundreds of its members who work for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have accepted an improved pay offer, while a trust spokesperson described the agreement as "a positive outcome".

More than 300 staff took strike action for 48 hours in July in the row over backdated pay for tasks performed at a higher pay grade, such as taking bloods.

Unison Northern regional secretary Clare Williams said: "It should never have come to strike action, but it's good the trust returned to negotiations and agreed to the back pay staff deserve."

The trust, which runs hospitals including Alnwick Infirmary, Hexham General Hospital and North Tyneside General, agreed to negotiate further after the industrial action in July.

Unison said the accepted deal will see staff receive an additional £2,000 on top of the two years already paid, depending on length of service and hours worked.

The trust spokesperson said: "We are pleased that we have reached this resolution as this is a positive outcome for our healthcare assistants, wider team and our patients.

"We continue to acknowledge and appreciate the vital role that our healthcare assistants have in providing care."

Similar staff employed by the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust have also recently had pay rises, Unison said.

"It's great to see these low-paid health workers win their hard-fought campaign for fair wages and proper recognition of the years they've dedicated to these roles," said Ms Williams.