A long-running dispute over backpay is set to be resolved
Healthcare Assistants employed by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust who are members of UNISON taking part in a 48-hour strike at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
Healthcare assistants (HCAs) across County Durham and Darlington could be in line for a bumper payday after the local NHS hospital trust agreed a deal to end a long-running dispute with union UNISON. The union pushed to have HCAs “rebanded” to more accurately reflect their duties – and this took place in 2024.
But, until now, they have been fighting to receive backpay. It was agreed in September 2025 that they would be due to up to £5,500 depending on their length of service – but payments were paused because the trust said in November that it needed NHS England approval.
This led to “frustration” among staff, the union said. MPs Liz Twist and Mary Kelly Foy backed the workers – and it has now been confirmed that payments will be made in February.
UNISON Northern regional secretary Clare Williams said: “UNISON is delighted that hard working healthcare assistants are finally going to get the recognition they deserve. These are low-paid workers, the vast majority of them women, who keep hospitals running by doing vital tasks under huge pressure.
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“They’ve been carrying out clinical duties for years without proper recognition and deserved to be swiftly and fairly compensating for their extra efforts. It’s unacceptable that they were left in limbo for months. Staff have always prioritised patient care, and now they can continue to do this knowing their work is properly valued.”
The HCAs were rebanded because tasks they were carrying out – taking blood, performing tests and inserting cannulas – ought to have meant their role was NHS Agenda for Change band three rather than two. The union has had similar disputes with other NHS trusts in the region.
These have seen others paid backpay – including in Northumberland and North Tyneside. The Durham and Darlington dispute saw workers vote to strike in August last year, before a new deal saw this threat averted in September.
Andrew Thacker, Director of Workforce and Organisational Development at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have received confirmation that HM Treasury has approved the Dispute Settlement relating to healthcare support workers at our Trust. We are working with UNISON on the next step which is for both parties to sign the agreement.
“Subject to this being finalised, we anticipate that payments will be made in February. We are working through arrangements and will confirm details as soon as possible. We recognise that this has been a frustrating and, at times, upsetting process for those colleagues affected. We hope this development provides reassurance that all required national approvals are now complete.
“We are grateful for the support of NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and UNISON in helping us reach this stage.”
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