County Durham healthcare assistants set to be paid missing wages
UNISON members have been campaigning since last August
Hundreds of healthcare assistants from nine hospitals in County Durham and Darlington say they're finally going to be paid their missing wages.
UNISON members have been campaigning to secure back pay settlements for as much as £5,500.
The union says for years the health workers carried out tasks - such as taking blood, performing tests and inserting cannulas - that should have been paid at a higher hourly rate than they received.
In 2024, their employer - County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust - accepted they were performing duties at the higher level and regraded them.
The level of back pay for the extra work remained a sticking point, but staff agreed a deal in September 2025, which saw them receive up to £5,500 depending on length of service.
The extra money was due to be paid in November. But the trust halted the payments saying it needed approval from NHS England. UNISON says the delay caused frustration among staff who had expected the money before Christmas.
With the help of local MPs Liz Twist and Mary Foy, UNISON continued to press for urgent action and asking Government to intervene. The trust has now confirmed that payments will be made in February.
UNISON Northern regional secretary Clare Williams said: “UNISON is delighted that hard working healthcare assistants are finally going to get the recognition they deserve.
“These are low-paid workers, the vast majority of them women, who keep hospitals running by doing vital tasks under huge pressure.
“They’ve been carrying out clinical duties for years without proper recognition and deserved to be swiftly and fairly compensating for their extra efforts.
“It’s unacceptable that they were left in limbo for months. Staff have always prioritised patient care, and now they can continue to do this knowing their work is properly valued.”