The payments mark a major victory for staff and the end of a years-long campaign to secure fair recognition for the vital clinical duties healthcare assistants have carried out day in, day out.
For years, staff routinely performed tasks such as taking blood and inserting cannulas, which should have been paid at a higher rate than what workers received.
In 2024, following sustained pressure from Unison, the Trust accepted healthcare assistants had been working above their grade and moved them to a higher salary band on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale.
However, it was exclusively revealed by The Northern Echo in December 2025 that workers had been left in “immense financial distress” just days before Christmas after not receiving the back pay in the November pay packet.
The Unison trade union, which represent the workers, described the delay as “extremely disappointing” and said staff were “understandably angry and deeply disappointed that payments the Trust agreed to pay in November have been delayed”.
A spokesperson for CDDFT previously said: “We fully recognise how upsetting and stressful this situation is for our staff, especially at this time of year. We remain committed to delivering the agreed settlement and continue to work with Unison to move this forward.”
Payments were delayed as additional approval from NHS England was needed.
Last month it was announced workers could expect the backpay after the long-running dispute was settled.
Seven health trusts in the region have now re-banded their healthcare assistants, securing fair pay for thousands of predominantly female, low‑paid staff who have kept hospital services going under immense pressure.
On the news staff will finally receive their back payments, Unison Northern regional secretary Clare Williams said: “At long last, hardworking healthcare assistants are receiving the recognition and compensation they deserve.
“These dedicated staff have gone above and beyond for years, delivering vital clinical care without the proper reward.
“It should never have taken this long, and no one should have been forced to wait for money they were rightfully owed.
“But today brings long‑awaited justice, marking a fitting and deserved end to a major regional campaign.
“Healthcare assistants across the north east can now continue caring for patients knowing that their vital contribution is finally valued.”
Andrew Thacker, director of workforce and organisational development at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We are pleased that the agreed payments to our healthcare support workers have now been made.
“These colleagues make an essential contribution to patient care every day across our hospitals and community services, and we recognise the professionalism and dedication they have continued to show throughout this process.
“We are grateful to colleagues for their patience while the necessary national approvals were completed, and we appreciate the constructive engagement with Unison to reach this outcome.”