STRIKE action could see healthcare services across south Essex “grind to a halt” next month, trade unionists have warned.

Hospitals, GP surgeries and mental health services could be hit if thousands of NHS staff walk out over pay.

Members of Unison, which represents thousands of NHS staff at Southend and Basildon hospitals and South Essex Partnership Trust, which provides mental health, learning disability, social care and community services, have agreed to start a week of protest on Monday, October 13.

Members of the GMB, the Royal College on Midwives and Unite, which represent many more workers, are due to back industrial action over the next fortnight.

Tony Hughes, the GMB’s NHS lead for the eastern region, said: “The action could have the impact of bringing services to a grinding halt.

“There won’t be anyone there to look after patients.”

The trade unionist said hospital pharmacists may not be there to dispense drugs, hospitals may not be cleaned, food may be left uncooked, GP surgeries may not be opened and receptionists may not be there to take bookings if administration staff, nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives back action.

Unison members will hold a four-hour strike from 7am on Monday, October 13, followed by four days of “work-to-rule”, in which staff will insist on taking breaks and refuse to do overtime.

Southend Hospital will be shielded from the effects as its staff have unique local pay deals, so few, if any, will join action.

Unions are demanding the Government implement a 1 per cent pay rise recommended by the NHS pay review body.

Sam Older, Unison’s regional organiser for eastern region, said: “We feel it’s not unreasonable for our members to receive that 1 per cent pay rise, which was agreed by an review body, especially when MPs say they have no choice but to accept the recommendations of their own body.”

Gill Adgie, of the Royal College on Midwives, said: “For the first time in our history, we are balloting our members and recommending they take industrial action as we believe it’s the only way this Government will take notice that midwives have had enough.”

TALKS ON TO SAVE CARE

HEALTHCARE providers insist patients will experience minimal disruption to services.

Southend Hospital expects little or no impact as staff are on a separate pay deal to the rest of the NHS.

Basildon Hospital has only changed rotas during previous strikes, with no appointments being cancelled.

A Basildon Hospital spokeswoman said: “There will be talks between staff and managers, and arrangements made to ensure we have sufficient staff to provide safe care for our patients.

“There has never been an occasion where the safety of our services has been compromised because staff have participated in strike action.”

A spokeswoman for South Essex Partnership Trust said: “We do not anticipate any significant disruption to services as a result of this industrial action. The trust has robust continuity plans, and we will work closely with our staff side representatives to ensure safe services are maintained.

“To avoid any inconvenience, our patients will be given as much notice as possible if there is any change in service provision.”

Keith Warrior, acting director of human resources for Southend Hospital, said: “Southend Hospital is in the unique position of having the majority of staff – around 95 per cent – on local terms and conditions.

“We met with representatives of recognised trade unions in May, who accepted our proposal to increase the pay scales of staff on local terms to match that of national pay scales. Therefore we expect the number of staff choosing to take part in any industrial action would be relatively minimal.”