UNISON said the trust has agreed to move 20 call centre workers up a grade and provide them with four years of back pay to bring an end to their four-year campaign.

UNISON Northern regional secretary Clare Williams said: ‘These staff work tirelessly to keep services running for patients across Teesside.

‘By standing united and refusing to back down, they've secured proper recognition for the skilled job they do.

‘This deal ensures call handling staff, who do essential NHS work, are treated with the respect they deserve and paid properly for their efforts.'

A spokesperson for University Hospitals Tees said: ‘We can confirm we have worked in partnership with our integrated single point of access (iSPA) colleagues and UNISON representatives to agree this positive resolution.'