Healthcare strike looms in pay scale row

Sunderland Royal Hospital would be one of the facilities affected if action takes place

Healthcare assistants and clinical support workers have voted for strike action in a dispute about pay.

Unison said members in South Tyneside and Sunderland had routinely performed clinical tasks above their pay scale, and have called for a higher rate and back pay.

It has warned the NHS trust that unless it improves its offer there will be a walk out on dates yet to be finalised.

The South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust said it took its duty of care to staff very seriously and wanted to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

Healthcare assistants have been paid at band 2 of the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale, despite undertaking clinical tasks for many years that should be paid at the higher band 3 rate, Unison say.

This includes clinical work, such as taking blood and inserting cannulas.

'Exceptional care'

Ian Fleming, from Unison, said: "Healthcare assistants and clinical support workers want to continue providing exceptional care to people.

"However, they need to be fairly paid for their work.

"The majority of healthcare assistants have worked well above their wage rate for years."

A spokesperson for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust said: "Our healthcare assistants are a vital and much valued part of our team and we want to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.

"We do not want to put anyone at a financial detriment because of any changes to their banding.

"As a responsible employer, we take this duty of care very seriously and will continue to put the best interests of staff first."