In England, radiographers at 35 NHS trusts are going on strike as the pay row with the Government continues.

Members of the Society of Radiographers (SoR) have voted to reject the Government’s 5% pay award.

The SoR members have called for talks to reopen after other public sector workers, including junior doctors, were offered more.

Worrying numbers of staff are leaving the profession and not enough is being done to recruit more works, the union has said.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Junior doctors went on strike this month Junior doctors went on strike this month (Image: Jacob King/PA)

When will the strike take place?

The strike is set to last for 48 hours and will start at 8am on Tuesday.

It will involve the 35 NHS trusts where members have a mandate to strike, including the Royal Marsden cancer hospital in London, University College London Hospitals, Liverpool University Hospitals, Nottingham University Hospitals, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

The SoR said nine out of 10 NHS patients are supported by radiographers, who carry out X-rays, MRI and CT scans, ultrasounds and breast screening as well as radiotherapy for cancer patients.

A million people are waiting for radiography.

Union representatives from each trust have agreed staff will provide “life and limb” emergency cover for patients which usually means the same staffing levels as Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Dean Rogers, executive director of industrial strategy and member relations for the SoR, said: “Voting for strike action was a difficult decision for our members, who care above all about the safety and wellbeing of their patients.

“We need to draw attention to the fact that many radiography professionals are feeling burnt out by low pay and increased hours. They’re leaving the NHS, and they are not being replaced in adequate numbers.

“If the Government wants to reduce NHS waiting lists and ensure that patients receive the treatment they need, when they need it, then it must urgently prioritise the recruitment and retention of radiography professionals – and that means talking to us about pay and conditions.

“But they are refusing to talk to us, even though our door is open.

“Our members deserve better. Our patients deserve better.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “I want to see an end to disruptive strikes so the NHS can focus relentlessly on cutting waiting lists and delivering for patients.

“The majority of unions on the NHS Staff Council voted to accept the Government’s fair and reasonable offer of a 5% pay rise for 2023-24, alongside two significant one-off payments totalling at least £1,655, putting more money in their pockets now.

“Over a million NHS staff, including radiographers, are already benefitting from that pay rise.

“The NHS also recently published the first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan to recruit and retain hundreds of thousands more staff.

“This pay award is final and so I urge the Society of Radiographers to call off strikes.”