ANOTHER wave of NHS strikes has hit the region as industrial unrest in the health service looks set to continue into the spring.

NHS physios across North Cumbria took their second day of strike action on Thursday as part of their national dispute.

Today’s industrial action follows the profession’s first ever strike over pay last month, on January 26, when 4,200 physiotherapy staff walked out across the country.

The union had that strikes by physiotherapy staff would be suspended if ‘genuine’ talks took place, but so far this year there had been only one 45-minute meeting, which was held on January 9 according to the union.

Claire Sullivan, CSP director of employment relations, said: “Our members are sick and tired of hearing the UK Government claim they are open to talks with the health unions when they have not lifted a finger to avert strikes in England.

“The government must now come to the table to avert further strikes, which we will not hesitate to call in order to defend the ability of our members to pay their bills and for the NHS to recruit and retain the staff it desperately needs.”

North West Amublance Service (NWAS) staff who are members of Unison are also walking out on Friday, February 10 as part of their dispute over pay and working conditions.

UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “Ministers must stop fobbing the public off with promises of a better NHS, while not lifting a finger to solve the staffing emergency staring them in the face.

“There can be no health service without the staff to run it. Ministers must open proper talks to end the dispute and put in place the urgent retention plan needed to boost pay and staffing across the NHS.”

Unless the government sits down with NHS staff and instigate fresh talks about pay Unison warns it will announce strike dates running into March.

By then, the dispute is likely to affect double the number of trusts and extend to the whole of the ambulance service in England, says Unison.

Junior doctors are balloting at the moment to see if they back strike action with a result expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

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