Healthcare assistants get salary hike and back pay

Every healthcare assistant at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is to receive a pay increase

Every healthcare assistant at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has received a salary boost, with more than 1,000 set to receive £4,000 in back pay.

Unison, the union that represents NHS workers, announced a deal had been struck with the trust on Wednesday.

The union said every healthcare assistant at the trust was to move up from band 2 to band 3 of the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale, securing a permanent annual wage increase of up to £2,000.

Ali Koeltgen, chief people officer for the trust, said: "These changes go some way to recognise the increasing complexity and responsibility involved in the day-to-day duties of the role of Health Care Support Workers in our hospitals."

She also praised "the significant contribution" that colleagues in these roles made to caring for patients.

Ms Koeltgen added: "We have reached agreement with Trade Union partners and are now in consultation with eligible Band 2s regarding an uplift in pay to Band 3."

The announcement comes after six months of campaigning and negotiations, which the union said "demanded recognition for their vital role in patient care".

Unison West Midlands regional organiser Claire Breeze said: "This is an incredible achievement for healthcare assistants at Worcestershire Acute Trust.

"For too long, staff were expected to take on demanding clinical responsibilities without the recognition or reward they deserved."