Tuesday 31 March 2026
For immediate release
Healthcare assistants in South West London hospitals win major pay victory, says UNISON
Healthcare assistants at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, Epsom Hospital in Sutton and St Helier Hospital in Carshalton have secured a significant pay victory after voting to accept an offer from their employers, says UNISON today (Tuesday).
Staff took strike action on 22 and 23 January in a dispute over their wages, after years of carrying out duties that deserved payment at a higher rate.
Following the walkouts and renewed negotiations, the hospital employers have now agreed a significant back pay deal. That will see some healthcare assistants receiving more than £7,000 in compensation for work they carried out while on the wrong pay grade.
Those with two or more years’ service will also see an additional £2,204 on their annual salary*.
Workers overwhelmingly backed the deal, with a 90% yes vote at St George’s, alongside 85% at Epsom and St Helier among those who took part in a consultation.
The result is a clear win for staff and shows the power of collective action, says the union.
UNISON London regional secretary Sara Gorton said: “This is a huge victory for healthcare assistants who refused to be ignored any longer.
“Staff stood firm and forced their employers back to the table. As a result, they’ve secured the improved pay deal they deserve.
“This sends a strong message across the NHS – when healthcare workers stand together, they can win fair pay and respect for the skilled work they do every day.”
Notes to editors:
*Healthcare assistants will be regraded from band 2 to band 3 of the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale, with workers with two or more years of service going to the top of the grade (a £2,204 a year pay rise)
– Healthcare assistants can include healthcare support workers, maternity care assistants, maternity support workers, theatre support workers, theatre support care workers, theatre support assistants, clinical support workers and anti-coagulation clinic assistants.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members working across public services, including the NHS, education, local government, the police service and energy.
Media contact:
Emma Davey M: 07432 733187 E: e.davey@unison.co.uk
