HUNDREDS of healthcare support workers at hospitals in south-east Wales have voted to strike over pay.

Unison said staff at eight hospitals in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot have been underpaid for their work for many years.

The union warned that without an improved offer strikes look inevitable after 99 per cent of staff who voted backed strike action.

Healthcare support workers on salary band 2 should only be providing personal care such as bathing and feeding patients, according to NHS guidance.

Those employed by the Swansea Bay University Health Board have however been routinely undertaking clinical tasks such as monitoring blood, performing electrocardiogram tests and inserting cannulas, said Unison.

Cymru regional organiser Lianne Owen said: “Healthcare support workers are some of the lowest paid staff in the NHS, yet they are routinely expected to carry out complex duties that they’re not being paid for.”

A Swansea Bay University Health Board spokesman said: “We’re disappointed with the ballot for strike action over the banding of our healthcare support workers, an issue that is not unique to Swansea Bay or Wales for that matter. We respected their right to ballot and want to emphasise that we value all of our staff and the work they do — not least our healthcare support workers — and are committed to ensuring that everybody is treated fairly.

”We have been in dialogue with Unison for quite some time and remain committed to progressing matters locally while also working with our NHS colleagues across Wales to resolve matters on a national basis.”