Healthcare workers take industrial action at Derriford Hospital
Patients are being told to turn up for appointments unless advised not to
Hundreds of healthcare workers at Derriford Hospital are striking today and tomorrow.
Their union UNISON says they're calling for fair pay that 'better reflects their role in patient care'.
UNISON South West regional secretary Kerry Baigent said: “It’s time University Hospitals Plymouth followed the lead of other trusts in the South West and paid its healthcare assistants fairly.
“Staff are not prepared to have their hard work undervalued and have been left with no choice but to take industrial action.
“Managers should do the right thing now and avoid risking needless disruption for patients.”
The University of Plymouth Hospitals Trust says:
"Although this is the first time Healthcare Support Workers have chosen to take industrial action at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust we have tried and tested plans in place to deal with any disruptions such as industrial action.
"The safety of our patients and wellbeing of our staff remains our priority and we will continue to ensure our focus on these areas.
"We will contact patients if their procedure or outpatient appointment is cancelled, but they should attend a procedure or appointment if they have not heard from us.
"If you do not have an emergency, please call your GP, visit a pharmacist for advice and for the treatment of minor ailments, make use of our Minor Injury Units at Tavistock and Kingsbridge, our Urgent Treatment Centre at the Cumberland Centre in Devonport, or use 111.nhs.uk"