Nottingham University Hospitals Trust claims it has ‘no evidence’ of healthcare assistants working above their pay grade, despite overwhelming examples from staff used to plug gaps in NHS care during Covid, says UNISON today (Tuesday).
Around 1,900 healthcare assistants at the trust are now being asked to vote for strike action over backdated earnings for the many years they’ve been paid unfairly.
According to NHS guidance, healthcare assistants on salary band 2 of the Agenda for Change pay scale should only provide personal care, such as bathing and feeding patients. However, most local healthcare assistants have routinely undertaken clinical tasks, such as taking blood, performing electrocardiogram tests and inserting cannulas.
UNISON is campaigning for healthcare assistants to be regraded to salary band 3 and to receive appropriate back pay compensation.
Nottingham University Hospitals Trust has so far refused to meet with conciliation service Acas to head off potential strike action.
UNISON East Midlands regional organiser Rachel Perry-Doyle said: “It’s extraordinary that despite overwhelming evidence and the dedication shown by staff, the trust has failed to acknowledge their contribution and refuses to meet to resolve this issue.
“The trust should recognise the vital role healthcare assistants play and ensure staff receive fair compensation for their work before they’re forced into a strike no one wants.”
Helen, a healthcare assistant in Nottingham, said: NHS staff risked their lives and those of our families to put others first during the pandemic, and continue to do so every day. But it’s clear the trust doesn’t think workers are worthy of being paid what they’ve have rightfully earned.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON’s industrial action ballot runs from 12 February to 19 March 2025.
– Band 2 clinical support workers should only undertake personal care duties, according to NHS guidance.
– So far UNISON has won over £80m for healthcare assistants and other support workers through its Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign. More information on the campaign is available here.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.