UNISON said the trust's move to standard bank overtime rates from the previous agreement to pay staff time and a half beyond their 37.5 hours a week will leave workers around £120 out of pocket per shift.

Elaine Inacio, a senior theatre assistant at Bedford Hospital, said: ‘Staff aren't asking for anything extra, just the pay we were on before.

‘It's already stressful enough working in operating theatres, but morale has absolutely plummeted since this pay cut.

‘Nobody wants to go on strike, but we've been left with no choice.'

A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘We value our theatre teams enormously and fully recognise the skill, commitment and pressure involved in their roles. We are sorry that some colleagues feel distressed by the recent changes, and we are continuing to meet with staff and trade union representatives to listen to their concerns and to ensure they have all the correct information in relation to the changes.

‘Earlier this year, the trust standardised overtime and additional‑hours payments for theatre staff so that all colleagues are paid consistently and in line with national NHS Agenda for Change arrangements.

‘This followed a lengthy and formal consultation process, including individual discussions with affected staff and engagement with trade unions and ACAS. These changes were not made lightly. They were introduced to ensure fairness across our workforce, to bring legacy local arrangements in line with trust‑wide standards, and to support the long‑term sustainability of our services. We remain committed to working constructively with UNISON and our theatre teams, and we hope to avoid any industrial action. Our priority is always to maintain safe, high‑quality care for patients while supporting our staff as much as possible.'