Gloucestershire phlebotomy staff continue industrial action
Staff are walking out this week and next, in a row over pay
Phlebotomists at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals have escalated strike action in their campaign for fair pay.
37 staff, who are menbers of UNISON and take patient blood samples, are taking part in a second wave of strikes this week (from Monday 7th April) to Saturday (12th April).
That'll be followed by a further seven day walkout from Monday next week (14th April).
UNISON says staff first raised concerns about pay with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in March 2024 and submitted a formal complaint in September.
They've said the trust has yet to convene a formal meeting to review the problem.
UNISON south west regional organiser Christopher Roche said: “Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is systematically underpaying dedicated frontline NHS workers. These specialist staff are currently paid the minimum wage of £12.21 per hour.
"The buck stops with the trust’s managers. They've had months to put things right – and failed. Hospital executives claim they're working with staff to resolve these issues, but that is simply untrue. The only scheduled meeting with senior managers was cancelled at short notice and without explanation.
"Patients and NHS workers deserve much better than this. The trust needs to talk to its staff, pay them what they're owed, and bring an end to this dispute."
Phlebotomist Dawnie Elliott said: “The way our bosses are treating us is unforgivable. Managers have little concept of what it’s like to earn the minimum wage. It's not easy to get by.
"We’re skilled NHS staff, committed to our patients, and all we’re asking for is to be paid properly and fairly.”
Gloucestershire NHS response
A statement from Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says:
"The Trust recognises and appreciates the valuable contribution that our phlebotomists make to patient care and we will continue to work closely in partnership with our local union representatives and phlebotomists to resolve these issues."
There's some advice for patients at the Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucester Royal Hospital too.
They're asked to still attend appointments as normal, unless told otherwise.
But there will be no phlebotomy service/blood samples taken using a needle in outpatients at West Block, Cheltenham General Hospital; Edward Jenner Centre, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital; or Quayside Community Diagnostic Centre during industrial action.
If you are attending an outpatient appointment and are required to give a blood sample, the team will either perform this within the clinic or reschedule an appointment outside industrial action periods.
You can present as a walk-in patient to the phlebotomy service, when strike action isn't taking place.