Thousands of Wirral health workers walk out in pay dispute

An estimated 3,000 staff, including paramedics, nurses and midwives, took part in the industrial action.

Organised by trade unions GMB, Unison and Unite, the strike action had been called in response to the government’s refusal to give all NHS staff a 1% pay rise – despite being recommended following an independent pay review.

It follows a strike last month, when thousands took place in mass demonstrations outside Arrowe Park Hospital and Clatterbridge Hospital.

A spokesman for Wirral NHS University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said the strike action had not affected the service.

In a statement, the trust said "We have robust contingency plans for the protection of patient safety and care in the event of disruptions which could impact on service provision.

“These include plans for industrial action and it has been agreed with the relative trade union organisations that critical posts will be exempt from taking action.”

Trade unions want a 1% pay rise for all NHS staff, but the government has said the proposal would cost too much.

Norman Robinson, branch secretary for Unison said: “The strike action went very well and was well attended at both sites.

"Health service staff are seeing the brunt of the cuts in Wirral. Not only have have they not a pay rise in four years, the proposed one per cent pay rise is deemed too much by government.

"There is a lot of anger out there.

"I would say the strike action went as as planned. We worked with hospital management to ensure there was as little disruption to services.

"There will probably be another day of action next month, but that is too be confirmed.

"On behalf of our members, I'd like to thank the public for supporting this action."

Rachael Maskell, Unite's head of health said:"Today’s second strike action for fair NHS pay has been strongly supported with Unite health members joined by colleagues from the country’s leading health unions at over 120 pickets across England and Northern Ireland, behind a swell of public support.

"Our members have been especially grateful for all the messages of support they’ve received from the public.

"They see the unfairness of the government’s decision to deny NHS staff a decent cost of living pay increase after years of pay freezes.

"The nation’s 1.35 million strong NHS workforce has been forced, reluctantly to strike for a second time after suffering a 15 per cent cut in their wages since 2010.

"Today also heralds the start of eight weeks of working to rule by Unite members.

"Our members are working harder and getting poorer. It doesn’t have to be this way.

"We are urging the health secretary to value the vital work of NHS workers who would rather be caring for patients than fighting their own poverty.

"Health secretary Jeremy Hunt cannot keep turning his back on hardworking health workers.

"With the Welsh government reaching a pay settlement last week, there can now be no excuses for Hunt’s continued refusal to get around the negotiating table."