NHS staff to strike over pay and grading

About 37 members of staff are expected to strike later this month

Some NHS workers are set to strike at two hospitals over a "pay and grading" dispute.

Unison confirmed that 37 phlebotomists, who take patients' blood samples, at Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital voted for three days of strike action, which will begin on 17 March.

Chris Roche, the union's regional organiser, said: "The NHS Trust has had over 12 months to resolve this issue but has repeatedly missed deadlines."

A Gloucestershire hospital trust spokesperson advised patients to access hospital services in "the usual way unless they hear from us directly".

Union organisers said the "complex nature" of the phlebotomists' work should put them on Band 3 pay.

However, phlebotomists are currently paid £12.08 per hour "despite their expertise and vital role in patient treatment, with some having worked in the NHS for more than two decades", the union added.

Mr Roche said: "Phlebotomists deserve to be paid fairly for the skilled work they do.

"NHS staff want to be at work giving patient care. The trust can still do the right thing to prevent the disruption this strike will cause."

Caroline Hayhurst, a phlebotomist at Cheltenham General Hospital, said it was time "our pay and grading reflected the responsibilities of the role".

"I do this job because I love it, but it's getting harder and harder to pay the bills," Ms Hayhurst said.

"Few people realise the skills and experience it takes to be a phlebotomist until they need one."

Kevin McNamara, chief executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the "valuable contribution" phlebotomists make to the care of patients is recognised and appreciated.

"We will continue to work closely in partnership with our local union representatives and phlebotomists on resolving this issue," he said.