Hundreds of healthcare assistants at nine hospitals* in the north east are finally set to receive as much as £5,500 in back pay following a campaign to recover missing wages, says UNISON today (Tuesday)
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, says the union.
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.”
Notes to editors:
– The healthcare assistants work for the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. They are employed at Darlington Memorial Hospital, University Hospital of North Durham, Bishop Auckland Hospital, Chester-le-Street Community Hospital, Shotley Bridge Community Hospital, Sedgefield Community Hospital, Richardson Hospital, Weardale Hospital and Peterlee Community Hospital.
– UNISON has won more than £250m in back pay and salary increases for healthcare assistants and other support workers through its Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign. More information 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.
