20.10.14
Radiographers across the UK go on strike
Radiographers across the UK have gone on strike today in the latest walkout by NHS staff over pay.
Members of the Society of Radiographers (SoR) are on strike from 9am until 1pm, and will follow a work-to-rule policy for the rest of the week. It follows on from the largest industrial action the NHS has seen in 32 years taken by six unions last week.
The action is being taken over the government’s decision to institute a below-inflation 1% non-consolidated pay rise, which the 600,000 staff who receive progression pay increases over 1% will not receive. The government ignored the recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Body, which specifically said that a non-consolidated pay award could have an “adverse impact on staff engagement and motivation” and recommended against it.
Richard Evans, the society’s chief executive officer, said: “Radiographers who work in the NHS in the four countries of the UK will take part in the action.”
The Department of Health said it was “disappointed” by the radiographers’ decision to strike, and said a larger pay rise would result in the loss of frontline jobs.
Emergency care will continue to be provided today, SoR officials say, but pre-booked appointments and procedures may be affected. It is not clear how many patients will be affected in total, but the Society claims 400 scans and X-rays have already been cancelled across Wales.
“Radiographers will try and keep the effect on patients to a minimum but radiographers and other healthcare workers have got to the stage that they feel there is no alternative,” Evans said.
“Because of inflation, staff in the NHS have been taking a year-on-year pay cut. Unless we show the government that we are serious about our claim that NHS staff should be treated fairly, they will continue to take advantage of our goodwill,” he continued.
“There is a shortage of radiographers, which already has an effect on the timely delivery of diagnostic examinations and the treatment of cancer, which has direct negative consequences on patients.
“Without reasonable and proper recognition of the work that they do, it is increasingly likely that qualified professionals will leave radiography and it will become even more difficult to recruit the additional people which are needed.”
A Department of Health spokesman said: "NHS staff are our greatest asset, and we've increased the NHS budget to pay for over 12,500 more clinical staff since 2010.
"We cannot afford a pay rise in addition to increments – which disproportionately reward the highest earners – without risking frontline jobs."
(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
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