Hundreds of healthcare support staff at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Foundation Trust have started two days of action in an escalating dispute over pay.

The workers involved are employed on band 2 of the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale. These tasks should be compensated at the higher band 3 pay level, according to NHS guidance.

Unison says moving these roles to band 3 could increase salaries by as much as £2,000 annually, yet the trust has refused to adjust rates for all eligible staff members and provide fair back pay for work already done.

Christina McAnea, Unison general secretary, said: 'These workers aren't asking for special treatment, just fairness. The trust has been underpaying support staff for years. They've been forced to carry out clinical tasks beyond their pay band, without fair compensation. Enough is enough.

'Across the country, similar disputes have been fought and resolved, with fair agreements reached elsewhere. It's time Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust followed suit.'

In response, a spokesperson for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, said: 'Our healthcare support workers are valued and essential members of Team LGT. We respect their right to strike and are taking all necessary steps to appropriately care for patients during this period of industrial action.

'We are in ongoing discussions with the unions with regards to reaching a resolution and are committed to keeping our colleagues up to date and informed throughout this process.'