RADIOGRAPHERS in Bournemouth and Poole have gone on strike for the first time in more than three decades.

The skilled medical practitioners backed the one-day walkout in protest at ‘the government’s failure to increase NHS pay’ in England.

Senior Radiotherapy Radiographer Claire West, the industrial relations representative for the Society of Radiographers, said the government is refusing to sanction a one per cent pay rise for NHS staff.

She added: “This comes at a time when MPs said they couldn’t possibly go against the advice of their pay review body in which said that MPs should receive an 11 per cent pay rise, but then completely rejected the advice of the NHS pay review body when our body said we should get one per cent across the board.

“While we care about our patients and will always have their best interests at heart, radiographers simply feel that they have had enough, with most having lost on average £5,000since 2010.

“We feel that we have had no option but to strike in order, along with other NHS unions, to get our point across to the government.”

The walkout, the first strike action by radiographers for 32 years, took place outside Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on Monday. (Oct 20) Organisers said the strike had minimal impact on patients, and confirmed diagnostic imaging remained staffed in order to provide emergency cover. However, some planned appointments were affected.

“The public support on the picket line was fantastic with so many people honking horns and pedestrians voicing their support,” said Claire.

“We would like to thank the public for this support as it really makes a difference.”