Radiographers across the UK will go on strike today in the latest outbreak of industrial action against the UK Government’s decision not to accept a recommended 1% pay rise for all NHS staff.
Members of the Society of Radiographers will walk out for four hours from 9am and will work to rule for the rest of the week.
The action follows the first ever strike by midwives last week, and there will also be a stoppage on Friday by prison officers in psychiatric hospitals.
Radiology departments and cancer treatment centres will be affected by the strike, with appointments likely to be cancelled, although emergency and urgent care will continue to be provided.
Picket lines will be mounted outside hospitals across the country, including Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Raigmore at Inverness, and at sites across Argyll and Bute and the Highlands.
Richard Evans, the society’s chief executive officer, said: “Radiographers who work in the NHS in the four countries of the UK will take part in the action.
“This is the first time since 1982 that radiographers have gone on strike over pay and there is the possibility of more action in the future. The anger that they and other NHS workers feel is very strong.
“The last thing that radiographers want is to hurt the people that they serve. Steps have been taken to minimise the impact on patients. This disagreement between NHS staff and the government has been going on for a long time and radiographers have lost patience with an employer they feel does not value the hard work they do.”
The society warned that if there was no improvement in pay, more radiographers could leave the profession, making current shortages worse.
NHS Grampian confirmed it is prepared for the action.
A spokesman for the body said: “We have been working with staff and the unions in order to provide cover.”