NHS staff begin three days of strike action

Some specialist NHS staff members have begun three days of strike action over pay.

Unison confirmed earlier this month that 37 phlebotomists - who are responsible for taking blood samples from patients - at Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital had voted for industrial action.

Phlebotomist Dawnie Elliott said it was "very insulting" that she was paid "just above minimum wage".

Kevin McNamara, chief executive of Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust, said patients should attend hospital as normal, unless they hear otherwise.

Christopher Roche, south west regional organiser at Unison, said phlebotomists realised more than a year ago that the trust was "not paying them what they're entitled to" and had been calculating their pay "incorrectly".

He said: "They raised this with senior management more than a year ago and asked for it to be resolved.

"Disappointingly, despite having a year to resolve this, the NHS trust has not corrected their pay.

"They are still being paid only £12.08 an hour - among the lowest paid staff in the NHS for carrying out an absolutely fundamental clinical role."

Unison organisers previously said the "complex nature" of the phlebotomists' work should put them on Band 3 pay which, Ms Elliott said, was £1 an hour more than what they currently make in Band 2.

Ms Elliott has been a phlebotomist at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital intermittently for 20 years and said she had seen "lots of changes, mainly not for the better".

She added: "There's a lot of colleagues that have left because they can't afford to stay in the job and there are some other colleagues that have taken on second jobs.

"People cannot afford to pay their bills. We are paid just above minimum wage.

"We are experts in our field, it is very insulting."

Mr McNamara, chief executive of the hospital trust, apologised for inconvenience caused to patients.

"We recognise and appreciate the valuable contribution that our phlebotomists make in providing patient care and we will continue to work closely in partnership with our local union representatives and phlebotomists on resolving these issues," he said.

"Contingency plans are in place and we are advising patients who have an appointment at either Cheltenham General Hospital or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital during periods of industrial action to attend as normal unless they hear from us directly to advise otherwise."

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