PICKETING hospital workers chanted: “Fair pay for patient care” as hundreds began a two-day strike today against underpayment for the duties they carry out.

Waving Unison flags, the healthcare support staff took part in the “historic” action at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust separately to the union’s national dispute over the issue.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea joined them as they picketed outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich and University Hospital Lewisham in south-east London.