HEALTH workers in Dorset are set to strike again in an ongoing row over pay and conditions.

The strike on Monday, November 24 will be the second time in two months union members have formed a picket line at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

DCH has reassured patients that contingency plans are in place to minimise the impact of strike action.

South West regional organiser for Unison Jon Dunn said the previous strike, which took place on October 13, had been supported by a ‘significant number’ of hospital staff.

Mr Dunn added: “We are expecting this time to be joined by other professional associations, including midwives and radiographers.

“There is a strong feeling that what is happening is deeply unfair.

“There are a lot of case studies of members reporting real financial hardship because of pay policies.”

Some union members have had to resort to foodbanks and second jobs to pay the bills, union representatives added.

Christina McAnea, Unison head of health and chairman of the NHS staff side trade unions, said: “For many in the NHS, last month’s strike was a first. The next industrial action will be bigger as more unions will be joining it.

“The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt needs to listen to NHS workers who feel this Government is treating them with contempt.

“NHS workers are overworked and underpaid,” she added.

“Most patients would be shocked to know that one in five of the NHS workers who care for them need to do a second job just to survive and many have to borrow money every month to make ends meet or resort to foodbanks.”

The row centres on what Mr Dunn described as ‘an unjustified attack on pay and conditions’.

He added: “Staff have been suffering for a number of years with below-inflation offers.

“This second strike is a reminder to Jeremy Hunt that this isn’t going to go away.”

Rehana Azam, GMB National Officer for the NHS, said: “For a second week NHS staff will be taking industrial action over pay.

“We regret having to inconvenience NHS users again, but the intransigence of the government and employers leaves us no choice.”

Mr Dunn said that an agreement has been reached with Dorset County Hospital to ensure emergency services are not affected.

A spokesman for Dorset County Hospital said: “We’d just like to reassure our patients contingency plans are in place to minimise the impact of strike action.”

The strike is to run from 7am to 11am on Monday, with a picket line outside the Damers Road hospital entrance.

The four-hour stoppage on that date will be followed by four days of action short of strike action when members will work to rule and not do any unpaid overtime.