The call comes as health unions have accepted an above-inflation two-year pay offer from the Scottish Government for NHS workers.

Unison head of health Helga Pile said: ‘Health workers in Scotland are reaping the rewards of a better pay process. Proper, direct pay talks have delivered an above-inflation, two-year deal, which comes with an inflation-proof guarantee.

‘All being well, NHS staff in Scotland should get this year's pay rise in their June pay packets. Staff elsewhere are still waiting. Seven weeks after their increase was due, they've not heard a dicky bird from the UK government.'

Pile added: ‘Ongoing delays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland mean health trusts and boards are unable to plan their budgets properly, which is bad news for patients too. Backlogs, waits and delays will never be sorted until pay is fixed.'