The threat of further strikes at hospitals in Lewisham and Greenwich has been lifted after healthcare staff secured a salary increase and a deal on back pay, says UNISON today (Thursday).
Hundreds of healthcare support workers employed by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust will benefit after their campaign for fair compensation led to an improved offer from senior hospital managers.
UNISON says the staff had been underpaid for years when carrying out multiple tasks above their pay grade. According to NHS guidance, healthcare support workers on salary band 2 of the NHS Agenda for Change scale should only be providing personal care such as bathing and feeding patients.
However, healthcare assistants employed at University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich were routinely undertaking clinical tasks such as monitoring blood, performing electrocardiogram tests and inserting cannulas, says the union.
Following five days of strike action in September, trust managers made an improved offer that will see staff with two or more years of service moving to the top of the band 3 pay spine. This is worth an extra £2,000 a year.
UNISON London regional secretary Jo Galloway said: “This is great news and important recognition for the dedicated staff at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust who have been going above and beyond for years.
“While strike action should never have been necessary, the healthcare workers’ determination to win a fair deal ultimately brought the trust back to the table with the improved offer.”
Queen Elizabeth Hospital healthcare support worker Denise Smith said: “After 27 years as a healthcare assistant in the Trust, I’m pleased the role I do has been recognised and we’re finally getting the pay we deserve.
“Being paid fairly will make a big difference in easing our money worries, and hopefully it means more of my colleagues will be able to stay in the jobs they love.”
Notes to editors:
– Band healthcare support workers should only undertake personal care duties, according to NHS guidance.
– Eligible staff are due to receive their updated pay and back pay this week.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Rosie Sammut M: 07958 063188 E: r.sammut@unison.co.uk
Dan Ashley M: 07789 518992 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
