HEALTHCARE workers have called off further strikes after securing a major pay increase, Unison said today.

Hundreds took five days of strike action in September over routinely carrying out clinical tasks above their pay grade at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.

Staff with two or more years of service will now get an extra £2,000 a year by moving from band 2 to 3 of the NHS Agenda for Change salary scale.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital healthcare support worker Denise Smith said: “After 27 years as a healthcare assistant in the trust, I’m pleased the role I do has been recognised and we’re finally getting the pay we deserve.

“Being paid fairly will make a big difference in easing our money worries, and hopefully it means more of my colleagues will be able to stay in the jobs they love.”

Unison London regional secretary Jo Galloway said the deal was “important recognition” for Trust staff “who have been going above and beyond for years.”